Department for Transport

Road Traffic Offences: Tachographs

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many drivers were (a) charged and (b) convicted of tachograph offences in the last year for which figures are available.

Jesse Norman: In the year 2016/17, a total of 854 prosecutions were brought for tachograph and record keeping offences, of which 667 led to a conviction. These offences include infringements such as failure to use the tachograph correctly. In the same year, there were a further 1,066 prosecutions for drivers’ hours offences (such as exceeding maximum driving times), of which 1,034 led to a conviction. Only the most serious breaches of these rules tend to be taken to prosecution, with a far greater number being dealt with by graduated fixed penalties.

Railways: Freight

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the levels of emissions of greenhouse gases from freight locomotives; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Maynard: RSSB (Rail Safety and Standards Board) data from 2010 shows that CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions from rail freight trains are 0.05g per tonne km which is less than 30% of the equivalent road figure. The CO (Carbon monoxide) figure is 0.032 g per tonne km which is less than 10% of the road figure. At the Rail Freight Roundtable in March, I asked the Rail Delivery Group to develop the industry’s evidence base on this issue. They have created a freight air quality group, which has commissioned an air quality impact study for the sector, which will include greenhouse gases Once the study is completed, the results will be made available.

Speed Limits: Cameras

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the number of active road safety cameras.

Jesse Norman: There are 66 fully operational speed enforcement cameras on the motorway network and a further 24 are in final stages of installation/commissioning as the Department continues the rollout of new installations as part of Smart Motorways. Information on the number of speed enforcement cameras on ‘A’ roads which form part of the Strategic Road Network is not held centrally and the data would need to be sought from each safety camera partnership. Cameras on other roads are a matter for each local highway authority and no estimate has been made of the total number of active safety cameras.

Tyne and Wear Metro: Rolling Stock

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 4.7 and 4.57 of the Autumn Budget 2017, what plans his Department has to ensure that the proposed new fleet of Metro rolling stock will be introduced onto the network by 2021.

Jesse Norman: In the Budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £337m direct grant funding for a new Nexus Metro fleet and depot for the Tyne and Wear Metro. The Metro is a critical part of both local transport provision and the wider economy in the region, and this investment will be a vital boost to the area, supporting access to employment, education and leisure. To achieve this result, the Department worked closely with HM Treasury. The committed funding is in response to a business case from the North East Combined Authority. Nexus will manage procurement, delivery and rollout of the new fleet of trains and will report progress to the joint DfT-Nexus programme board throughout this process.

Tyne and Wear Metro

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 4.57 of the Autumn Budget 2017, how much of the National Productivity Investment Fund will be allocated to improving the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Jesse Norman: In the Budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £337m direct grant funding for a new Nexus Metro fleet and depot for the Tyne and Wear Metro. The Metro is a critical part of both local transport provision and the wider economy in the region, and this investment will be a vital boost to the area, supporting access to employment, education and leisure. All of this funding is from the National Productivity Investment Fund.

Roads: North East

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 4.43 of the Autumn Budget 2017, how much of the additional funding to tackle potholes in England will be allocated to projects in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside local authority and (c) the North East.

Jesse Norman: The allocation of the additional £46 million funding for repairing potholes as announced in the Autumn Budget 2017 to individual local highway authorities will be announced in due course. This funding is in addition to over £6 billion funding the Department for Transport is providing between 2015 to 2016 to local highway authorities in England, outside London, to help improve road condition, including repairing potholes. This funding includes £250 million to as part of the Pothole Action Fund.

Roads: Accidents

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many children were (a) killed and (b) seriously injured in (i) 2014, (ii) 2015 and (iii) 2016 in road accidents in which they were not restrained by a child car seat.

Jesse Norman: The Department for Transport does not collect information on the number of children that were killed or seriously injured in reported road accidents in which they were not restrained by a child car seat.

Safety Belts: Children

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to inform parents on (a) laws on child car seats and (b) how to fit and use those seats correctly.

Jesse Norman: Rules 99 and 100 of the Highway Code outline the rules and legislation as to seat belt use. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accident (RoSPA) website provides advice and information about child car restraints to parents and others who transport children in cars, and to professionals and practitioners who help such people. During the first two quarters of 2017/18, the website received over 878,000 page views and downloads. The grant funding that the Department provides to RoSPA is partly used to maintain the website. www.childcarseats.org.uk. Child car seats should be correctly fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment has he made of the effect of abolishing car tax discs on revenue collected through vehicle tax.

Jesse Norman: The amount of duty collected varies year on year for a variety of reasons. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency collects around £6 billion in vehicle excise duty annually.

Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of untaxed vehicles on the road.

Jesse Norman: More than 98% of vehicles on the road are properly licensed, meaning that the vast majority of drivers comply with the law. It has never been easier to license a vehicle and motorists can also spread payments across the year using direct debit. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) operates a comprehensive package of measures designed to tackle vehicle excise duty evasion. These include reminder letters, fixed penalties, court prosecutions, the use of automatic number plate recognition cameras and the wheelclamping and removal of unlicensed vehicles. The number of unlicensed vehicles clamped or impounded has increased to around 10,000 every month and the DVLA will continue to take action against those who do not pay. A major national advertising campaign has also recently been launched which targets vehicle excise duty evaders.

Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of motorists automatically renew their vehicle tax.

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to encourage more motorists to sign up automatically to renew their vehicle tax.

Jesse Norman: Customers who choose to pay by direct debit have their vehicle excise duty renewed automatically. This facility was introduced in October 2014 and payments can be made monthly, every six months or annually. More than 98% of vehicles are properly licensed and around 30% of customers pay for their vehicle excise duty by direct debit. There are more than 13 million current direct debit mandates for vehicle excise duty payments. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency sends reminders advising customers of the available payment methods for vehicle excise duty, including direct debit.

Large Goods Vehicles: Stanford West

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much has been spent on the planned lorry holding park in Stanford West in Kent.

Jesse Norman: We continue to develop plans for a lorry park, and approximately £12 million has been spent on developing the lorry area at Stanford West. This figure includes costs which will be reused as part of the development of the permanent solution announced on 15 November. It also includes the costs of purchasing some properties adjoining the site, which may be resold in due course, reducing the overall cost of the project.

Community Transport

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to expand and support the not-for-profit community transport sector.

Jesse Norman: In the 2016 to 2017 financial year, the Department for Transport spent almost £3.5m on supporting the not-for-profit community transport sector through the Bus Service Operator’s Grant (BSOG), with a further £2m through the second round of Community Minibus Fund. In the current financial year we predict that support to community transport operators through BSOG will again be approximately £3.5m. The Department has also announced an additional £250,000 to support community transport organisations with PSV Operator licence requirements.

Blue Badge Scheme

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to introduce a temporary blue badge scheme for people with short-term medical conditions.

Jesse Norman: The Department has no plans to this effect. With around 2.4 million badges already on issue, it is important that the scheme remains sustainable and protects preferential parking facilities for those with permanent disabilities who rely upon the scheme for the independence it provides them.

Home Office

Driving Under Influence: Drugs

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department has taken to develop an evidential roadside test for people who drive under the influence of drugs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Nick Hurd: There are no plans to develop an evidential roadside drug driving testing device.We have developed mobile drug screening technology to support drug driving legislation. This was first introduced for police use in December 2014.

Foreign Nationals: Immigration Controls

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many foreign nationals living in the UK are currently subject to deportation orders; and how many foreign nationals outside the UK are currently prohibited from entering the UK under the terms of the Immigration Act 1971.

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many foreign nationals formerly held in immigration removal centres and subsequently released reoffended in each of the last five years.

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many foreign national offenders discharged in each of the last five years with convictions for (a) rape, (b) other sexual offences and (c) violence against the person were (i) deported directly from custody, (ii) deported on release from custody, (iii) deported within one month of being released from custody, (iv) deported between one and two months of leaving custody, (v) deported between two and three months of leaving custody, (vi) deported between three and six months of leaving custody, (vii) deported between six and 12 months of leaving custody, (vii) deported 12 months or more after leaving custody, (ix) awaiting deportation in an immigration removal centre and (x) still resident in the UK.

Brandon Lewis: Providing the information requested could only be done at disproportionate cost.The Home Office publish the total number of FNOs living in the community. This information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-enforcement-data-august-2017

Greater Manchester Police: Finance

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department,  with reference to her Department's Special Grant Guidance updated on 28 November 2017, whether Greater Manchester Police will be required to fund costs of up to one per cent of that force's budget before receiving her Department's funding for the Manchester Arena terrorist attack of 22 May 2017.

Mr Nick Hurd: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30th November 2017, UIN 115963.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Solar Power: Greater London

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to respond to the Mayor of London's Solar Action Plan consultation.

Richard Harrington: The Department does not intend to issue a formal response to the Mayor of London’s Solar Action Plan consultation. However, we have engaged with City Hall on the Plan and will continue to do so as it develops.

Living Wage: Young People

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reasons the National Living Wage is set at a lower rate for under-25s than for older workers.

Margot James: The Government sets age-related minimum wages in order to protect younger workers, who may otherwise be more vulnerable to being unemployed than older workers. Our aim is to set National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates for all workers under 25 at a level that maximises their earnings without damaging employment prospects by setting it too high The 2017 Low Pay Commission report shows the unemployment rates for young people not in full-time education in the UK is 31.3 per cent for 16-18 year olds, 15.5 per cent for 18-20 year olds and 8.4 per cent for those aged 21 to 24 in the second quarter of 2017. This compares to 4.6 per cent for those aged 25 to 30.

Offshore Industry: North Sea

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government's industrial strategy for the oil and gas industry takes account of issues relating to workforce transport in the North Sea; and if he will make a statement.

Richard Harrington: Aircraft safety is a matter that falls to the Civil Aviation Authority whilst workforce safety is a matter for the Health and Safety Executive. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to include specifics on this issue in the Industrial Strategy White Paper.

EU Grants and Loans

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 15 November 2017 to Question 112113, on EU grants and loans, for how many years will the projects signed to date be guaranteed for.

Margot James: In line with the Government’s guarantee, all Structural Funds projects signed to date will be funded for their lifetimes, even if they continue after the UK has left the EU. The particular length of projects will vary and is specified in individual contracts.

Energy: Subsidies

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the cost to the public purse has been of energy subsidies to private energy companies in each of the last five years.

Richard Harrington: There are no direct Government energy subsidies to private energy companies.The costs of renewable energy schemes for electricity are funded through consumer energy bills rather than from general taxation.The Government provides financial support to non-domestic renewable heat generators and producers of biomethane through the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).The RHI payments made to all participants including energy companies are to bridge the cost differential of installing renewable plant over fossil fuel alternatives.The Department publishes data of renewable heat generation (or equivalent energy for biomethane injected to the gas grid) broken down by Standard Industry Classification Code (SIC) but does not hold data on payments by SIC code.This information may be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/rhi-deployment-data-october-2017

Wind Power: Scotland

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to announce voluntary Contracts for Difference auctions for on shore wind in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Richard Harrington: Onshore wind is an established (Group 1) technology for the purposes of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme. No decisions have been taken on running an allocation round for these technologies but if one was run, onshore wind projects in Scotland would be eligible to apply. The Government is seeking state aid approval to classify remote island wind as a separate technology in Group 2 of the CfD scheme. This could include some onshore wind projects proposed for the remote islands of Scotland, including in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. The Clean Growth Strategy announced that we would provide up to £557m in total of annual funding for Group 2 technologies.

Green Finance Task Force

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what funding his Department has allocated to the Green Finance Taskforce in each of the next three years.

Claire Perry: The Green Finance Taskforce is a voluntary group of senior leaders from the finance sector who will deliver recommendations to help Government accelerate the growth of green finance, deliver the investment required to meet our domestic carbon reduction targets and consolidate our leadership in financing international clean investment. No funding is allocated to the Taskforce or its Secretariat.

Energy: Housing

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to upgrade fuel poor homes to Band C or above.

Claire Perry: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Energy: Housing

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what progress his Department is making on increasing the number of homes to be classified as EPC Band C by 2035.

Claire Perry: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Solar Power

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the industrial benefits of solar power.

Richard Harrington: Solar power is a UK success story, with rapid deployment over the last 7 years. Latest figures indicate that we now have over 12.5GW of solar capacity installed in the UK, enough to power over 2.7 million homes and exceeding our historic projections. Costs for solar installations have fallen rapidly during this period, allowing both domestic and industrial consumers to benefit from increasingly cheap and clean electricity. We expect subsidy-free solar to be an increasingly attractive option, with the first subsidy-free UK solar farm recently deploying. Some of the UK’s largest solar developers have said that they will be installing and connecting subsidy-free sites over the next 12 months.

Iron and Steel

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2017 to Question 7012, on iron and steel, when he plans to publish his Department's paper, Future Capabilities of the UK Steel Sector.

Claire Perry: The report on the Future Capabilities of the UK Steel Sector is being finalised, following consultation with the UK steel industry. The Department aims to publish the findings once the report has been completed.

Industry

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to his oral contribution of 27 November 2017, Official Report, column 45, what specific financial incentives will be available to encourage suppliers to relocate to the UK.

Claire Perry: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Fossil Fuels

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, who was present at the oil and gas roundtable attended by the then Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on 12 April 2016.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, who was present at the Low Carbon Roundtable attended by the then Secretary of State for Energy and Climate change on 9 May 2016.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, who was present at the Roundtable energy investors event attended by the then Secretary of State for Energy and Climate change on 31 March 2016.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, who was present at the Roundtable nuclear stakeholders event attended by the then Secretary of State for Energy and Climate change on 31 March 2016.

Richard Harrington: A record of meetings involving Ministers in the former Department for Energy and Climate Change was published quarterly, and can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/decc-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-april-to-june-2016 The names of all attendees at these meetings are not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Local Enterprise Partnerships

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with local government representatives on his decision to give Local Economic Partnerships primary control for strategic economic planning in places where there is no combined authority.

Margot James: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Productivity

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what productivity growth targets he has set for the Industrial Strategy over the course of the 2017 Parliament.

Claire Perry: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Independent Industrial Strategy Council

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that the proposed Industrial Strategy Council will be (a) independent of Government and (b) able to hold Government to account for the implementation of the Industrial Strategy.

Claire Perry: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Industry

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish a timetable for the publication of the additional sector deals referenced in the Industrial Strategy.

Claire Perry: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

India: British Nationals Abroad

Christine Jardine: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, following reports of the torture of Jagpar Singh Johal in the Punjab, what representations he has made to the Government of India about the safety and fair treatment of British citizens.

Mark Field: Consular staff in India were made aware of allegations of mistreatment through Mr Johal's legal representation. Our priority is to inquire about these specific allegations with Mr Johal in private. The Foreign Secretary raised the case with the Indian Minister of External Affairs on 23 November and Consular officials continue to reiterate our request for a private meeting with Mr Johal with the Indian Government. I raised this with the Indian​ High Commissioner in telephone conversation on 29 November. We take all allegations of torture of mistreatment extremely seriously and we will press for action appropriate to the situation, with the consent of the individual, avoiding any action that may put the individual concerned at risk.

Bahrain: Human Rights

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last held discussion with the Bahraini embassy in London on human rights issues in that country.

Alistair Burt: ​The British Government monitors events in Bahrain closely. We regularly raise human rights concerns with the Bahraini authorities (including the Bahraini Embassy in London) in private and in public and will continue to do so. We continue to encourage the government of Bahrain to deliver on its international and domestic human rights commitments.

Sayed Alwadaei

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last discussed the case of Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei with (a) his Bahraini counterpart and (b) the Bahraini Embassy in London.

Alistair Burt: ​The Government monitors events in Bahrain closely. We regularly raise human rights concerns with the Bahraini authorities (including the Bahraini Embassy in London) in private and in public and will continue to do so. We continue to encourage the Government of Bahrain to deliver on its international and domestic human rights commitments.

Burma: Rohingya

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department will take to help to ensure that Rohingya Muslims will not be forcibly returned to Myanmar.

Mark Field: I refer the Hon. Member to my answers to written questions 115310 & 115311.

Burma: Rohingya

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the severity of violence towards Rohingya people in Rakhine from the Burmese civilian population

Mark Field: The Government has strong reason to believe​ that serious acts of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, have been carried out against the Rohingya. It is important that the international Fact-Finding Mission is able to investigate fully, including through access to Burma, so we can understand the full extent and nature of the violence. It is clear that the military have created the current situation in Rakhine, and bear primary responsibility for the suffering we have seen. But there is also credible evidence that civilians in Rakhine State have carried out acts of violence against Rohingya individuals and groups, and against their homes and property.I underlined the UK's deep concern about the violence in Rakhine when I met Burma's Defence Minister on 20 November. I stressed the need for Burma's military and police to restore security, to allow an independent international investigation of what had happened, and to guarantee the safety of those Rohingya who wish to return to their homes.This violence shows the importance of addressing the underlying issues in Rakhine, including inter-communal tension. The Rakhine Advisory Commission presented a range of good recommendations that could contribute to the longer term resolution of these problems. The UK has made clear it supports for these recommendations, and is ready to assist with their implementation.

Burma: Travel Restictions

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with other EU Member States on formalised travel sanctions on Burmese military leaders.

Mark Field: ​​The Foreign Secretary secured agreement at the 16 October Foreign Affairs Council to suspend all military visits to the EU and to review practical defence engagement, and a commitment to consider additional measures if the situation in Rakhine State did not improve. If the Burmese authorities do not heed the calls of the UN Security Council Presidential Statement of 6 November, the Foreign Secretary will use the December Foreign Affairs Council to discuss with counterparts what additional measures the EU should consider. The EU retains an arms embargo on Burma; the UK strongly supports this.

Bangladesh: Rohingya

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made with the Government of Bangladesh on reiterating the principle of non-refoulement in relation to Rohingya refugees in that country.

Mark Field: The UK has been clear that an agreement on returning the Rohingya refugees to their homes in Burma must provide for voluntary, safe and dignified return. I made these points to the Bangladesh High Commissioner Nazmul Quaunine and Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque when we ​met on 2 November. The principle of non-refoulement is also detailed in the United Nations Security Council Presidential Statement made on 6 November – a statement the UK was instrumental in achieving.

European Union: Constitutions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on whether the Slovenian EU Presidency's proposals relating to a new EU Constitution have been formally discussed within EU institutions; and whether any element of those proposals have been identified as items for separate policy development.

Sir Alan Duncan: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is unaware of any formal discussions of the Slovenian President's proposals in EU institutions.

Israel: West Bank

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to raise the matter of the demolition of homes and structures in Area C of the West Bank at the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review of Israel, in January 2018

Alistair Burt: ​We are currently considering our recommendations ahead of the Universal Periodic Review of Israel at the United Nations Human Rights Council, in January 2018. We are gravely concerned by the continued demolition of Palestinian property by the Israeli authorities. We have repeatedly made clear to the Israeli authorities our serious concern at the increase in demolitions of Palestinian properties in Area C of the West Bank and in East Jerusalem, and we call on the Government of Israel to cease the policy of demolitions and provide a transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C.

Israel: Human Rights

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what human rights issues his Department plans to raise at the Universal Periodic Review of Israel at the United Nations Human Rights Council, in January 2018?

Alistair Burt: ​The UK engages consistently and comprehensively in the Universal Periodic Review process. We have spoken at every session and on every country since the process began, and are committed to its improvement. During the second cycle we worked with other States to limit the number of recommendations made to States under review, and ensure that they were of good quality. We are currently considering our recommendations ahead of the Universal Periodic Review of Israel at the United Nations Human Rights Council, in January 2018.

Israel: West Bank

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the United Nations' conclusion that the 46 Palestinian communities in the central West Bank subject to a relocation plan by Israeli authorities are at high risk of forcible transfer.

Alistair Burt: ​We have not made an assessment of the efficacy of the United Nations' conclusion that the 46 Palestinian communities in the central West Bank subject to a relocation plan by Israeli authorities are at high risk of forcible transfer. However, the UK is gravely concerned by Israeli proposals to relocate the Bedouin population from the E1 area. These plans could have a devastating impact on the communities concerned and will likely open the way for further settlement expansion – endangering the viability of the two-state solution. We have been clear about our grave concerns with the Israeli authorities and our Embassy in Tel Aviv most recently raised our concerns in a joint demarche with European Partners on 2 November 2017.

Israel: West Bank

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with European Union Member States about drafting a joint letter to the Government of Israel demanding compensation for the demolition and confiscation of donor-funded structures in Area C of the West Bank.

Alistair Burt: We have not had any recent discussions with EU member states about a joint letter to the Israeli authorities about compensation. We are, however, keeping the case for compensation under review. The UK is focused on preventing demolitions from happening in the first place through our funding to the Norwegian Refugee Council legal aid programme which helps residents challenge decisions in the Israeli legal system.

Religious Freedom

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will prioritise the protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief.

Mark Field: ​The protection of Freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is a priority of Her Majesty's Government's foreign policy and will continue to be so. In their interactions with foreign governments, Foreign and Commonwealth Office ministers and officials routinely raise individual cases and highlight practices and laws that discriminate against people on the basis of their religion or belief.For example, during my visit to Pakistan on 8-9 November, I discussed the treatment of religious minorities, including discrimination and violence against the Ahmadiyya and Christian communities, with the Federal Secretary of Pakistan's Human Rights Ministry. The United Kingdom also actively promotes FoRB through multilateral diplomacy. At the recent United Nations Human Rights Council, the United Kingdom worked successfully to help maintain consensus on the adoption and implementation of the European Union sponsored Resolution on 'Freedom of Religion or Belief' and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation sponsored Resolution on 'Combating Religious Intolerance'. The FCO also continues to support a number of projects to promote tolerance through the Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy. Current projects include work to promote religious tolerance through secondary school curricula in Iraq, Morocco and Lebanon.​In October, The FCO minister with responsibility ​​​for Human Rights, Lord Ahmad convened the first in a series of roundtable meetings on FoRB. These meetings bring together faith leaders and civil society experts to discuss current international challenges to FoRB, and how we can collaborate to strengthen our responses.

EU Defence Policy

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what relationship the Government plans to have with the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation, known as PESCO, after leaving the EU.

Sir Alan Duncan: The aim of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is to strengthen EU Member States' cooperation in military matters. PESCO is voluntary and works on an opt-in basis.The UK Government has not committed to PESCO but supports its ambition to develop military capabilities that address the shortfalls in EU and NATO contexts. We welcome PESCO as a tool to support the development of capabilities that Europe needs for its security, provided it remains complementary to NATO and encourages EU-NATO cooperation; and that projects carried out under PESCO remain Member State-owned and the capabilities delivered are available not only to the EU but can also be used in support of NATO and UN operations.There are no associated working groups but UK officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ministry of Defence have attended PESCO workshops at both the technical and policy level.We are encouraging Member States to develop PESCO to be open to third country participation where there is clear value in doing so.Our vision is of a unique third country partnership that enables unprecedented levels of practical cooperation in tackling common threats building on our shared values and interests. We believe that PESCO must be designed in a way that promotes an open and competitive European Defence industry.Our approach reflects our commitment to European defence and security, and protecting the interests of UK industry.

Ali Feruz

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his (a) Russian, (b) Ukrainian and (c) EU counterparts on the treatment of Ali Feruz.

Sir Alan Duncan: ​Whilst I have had no discussions with my Russian, Ukrainian and EU counterparts specifically on this issue, the EU Delegation in Moscow has coordinated attendance at each hearing of this case, including with officials from our Embassy in Moscow. We will continue to monitor this case.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Brexit: Impact Assessments

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, when he (a) ordered the drawing up of and (b) received the completed Brexit impact assessments.

Mr Robin Walker: Since the referendum my department has undertaken a wide range of qualitative and quantitative analysis across all sectors of the economy. However, the Secretary of State and I have made consistently clear that our analysis does not exist in the form of Impact Assessments.Following the motion on 1 November, my department began collating our analysis into an accessible and informative set of reports for the Exiting the European Union Committee and the European Union Committee in the House of Lords. This has been a very substantial undertaking.Cabinet Committee clearance was given on Monday 27 November and the reports were delivered immediately to the Committees. These sectoral analyses are being made available in reading rooms for all colleagues to access.

Wales Office

EU Grants and Loans: Wales

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what his policy is on the status of West Wales and the Valleys under the Governments new Shared Prosperity Fund; and if he will consider that area's status as eligible to receive the highest level of support under European Structural Funds when allocating funds under that policy.

Alun Cairns: Historically West Wales and the Valleys, as one of the most disadvantaged areas in Europe, has been a net recipient of European Structural and Investment Funding, as has Wales as a whole. The UK’s exit from the European Union provides us with the opportunity to consider how funding for growth across the UK is designed and how we can deliver the best outcomes for the people of Wales.

EU Grants and Loans: Wales

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had any meetings with the Welsh Government on the future operation of the Shared Prosperity Fund.

Alun Cairns: I hold regular discussions with Cabinet Secretaries in the Welsh Government to discuss a range of issues, including the impact on Wales of the UK leaving the European Union. Our manifesto committed to creating the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and work is ongoing across Government to consider how best this can be achieved. As per our commitment, we will of course work with the Welsh Government and other stakeholders across Wales and the UK.

Department for Education

Mental Health: Curriculum

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to include mental wellbeing in the national curriculum.

Nick Gibb: We have no plans to make changes to the national curriculum, but our Supporting Mental Health in Schools and Colleges survey, published in August 2017, sets out information on what schools are already doing to promote good mental health and well-being through teaching and pastoral support.We are considering how we can build on this strong base to improve the support that is provided to children and young people in schools and will include proposals in the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Green Paper to be published by the end of this year.In particular, as required by the Children and Social Work Act 2017, we are taking work forward to develop regulations and associate guidance for mandatory Relationships Education in primary schools and Relationships and Sex Education in secondary schools. The content of the guidance will include the role of physical and mental well-being in forming and maintaining healthy relationships. We plan to consult on a draft of the regulations and guidance next year.

Schools: Oxfordshire

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools were full or oversubscribed in (i) Oxford (ii) Oxfordshire and (iii) Oxford West and Abingdon constituency in each of the last 5 academic years.

Nick Gibb: The Department collects information from each local authority on the number of schools, the number of places in those schools and the number of pupils on roll through the annual school capacity survey. The Department does not collect school capacity information at parliamentary constituency level. Data relating to the position in the 2016/17 academic year will be published in the new year. Data for previous years can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-school-capacity. The first table attached shows the number of primary schools in Oxfordshire which are full or have one or more pupils in excess of capacity, every year since 2012. The second table attached shows the number of secondary schools in Oxfordshire which are full or have one or more pupils in excess of capacity, every year since 2012.  The Department does not have a measure for over-subscription. The admissions and offers process is run by the local authorities who are responsible for ensuring that the admissions criteria are applied for all schools.  



Primary Schools
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Secondary Schools
(Word Document, 13.68 KB)

Apprentices: Taxation

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to paragraph 4.27 of the Autumn Budget 2017, whether her Department plans to work with employers in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, and (c) the North East on how the apprenticeship levy can be spent to support productivity in those areas.

Anne Milton: The department maintains regular dialogue with employers and representative bodies across England regarding apprenticeship reforms. We will provide assistance with any questions or concerns they have primarily through the National Apprenticeship Service.

Schools: Finance

Sir Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the new funding formula for 2018-19 will reflect the effect on schools of staff pay increases.

Nick Gibb: In July 2017 we announced an additional £1.3billion for schools and high needs across 2018-19 and 2019-20, in addition to the schools budget set at Spending Review 2015. This means funding per pupil for schools and high needs will be maintained in real terms for the next two years. Following our announcement in September 2017, under the national funding formula, school funding will be distributed based on the individual needs and characteristics of every school in the country. We will publish evidence on the affordability and value for money of increases to teachers’ pay as part of the Department’s input to the School Teachers’ Review Body consideration on teachers’ pay for 2018/19.

Teachers: Labour Turnover

Sir Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to secure sufficient recruitment and retention in the teaching profession.

Nick Gibb: The number of teachers is at an all-time high: there are now 457,300 full time equivalent teachers, up 15,500 from 2010. The number of new teachers entering our classrooms continues to outnumber those who retire or leave, and the number of teachers returning to the profession is 8% higher than in 2011. We are continuing to offer generous bursaries to recruit the best graduates into the profession. From 2018 we are increasing funding across all high priority subjects. Our prestigious scholarship scheme will also continue, offering a package of tailored support and up to £28,000 tax-free for scholars in six subjects. Teachers will benefit from the newly announced rise in the student loan repayment threshold and we will be piloting a new student loan reimbursement programme for science and Modern Foreign Language teachers in the early years of their career, targeted in the areas of the country that need them most. We are taking action to address the factors that influence the decisions of those teachers who do decide to leave the profession. We recognised the problem of unnecessary workload when we launched the Workload Challenge in 2014. Our responses to this and the 2016 Teacher Workload Survey set out comprehensive programmes of action to be taken, including spreading best practice about workload reduction. We will continue our extensive work with the profession, teaching unions and Ofsted to support the retention of teachers.

Schools: Closures

Sir Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to prevent smaller schools from closing in (a) England and (b) Kent.

Nick Gibb: Most small schools are rural and the Government recognises the importance of these schools to their communities. That is why there is a presumption against the closure of rural primary schools. While the presumption does not mean that rural primary schools will never close, it does require decision makers to consider factors such as the likely effect of the closure of the school on the local community, educational standards at the school, the impact on standards at neighbouring schools, the availability of transport to other schools, and any alternatives to the closure of the school. We recognise that some schools are necessarily small because they are remote and do not have the same opportunities to grow or make efficiency savings as other schools. These schools can be especially important to their local communities, and ensure children do not have to travel long distances to school. That is why we have included dedicated sparsity funding in our new national funding formula (NFF), which will target funding to 19 of the most remote schools in Kent. Under the NFF, Kent would see an increase of 7.4% for its schools compared to 3.5% nationally.

Schools

Sir Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what schools she plans to visit in November 2017.

Mr Robert Goodwill: In November 2017, the Secretary of State visited Oasis Academy Media City (M50 3UQ), Putney High School (SW15 6BH), The Alton School (SW15 4PD), Swanlea School (E1 5DJ) and Broadford Primary School (RM3 8JS).

School Libraries

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of recent trends in (a) library provision and (b) the number of qualified librarians in state-funded schools and colleges in England; and if she will make a statement

Nick Gibb: School libraries play an important role in providing children with more opportunities to read widely for pleasure, which is a fundamental part of children’s education that helps them to fulfil their potential. We have made no specific assessment on school library provision or the number of qualified librarians in state-funded schools, as it is for schools to decide whether and, how to provide library services. We know that many headteachers recognise the role school libraries can play in improving pupils’ literacy. Many headteachers, especially those in secondary schools, also choose to employ a qualified librarian, although this is not a statutory requirement.

Apprentices: Taxation

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, steps her Department is taking to increase awareness of the Apprenticeship Levy among businesses.

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what targets her Department set for the uptake of apprenticeships following the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy.

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November to Question 112477, when her Department plans to assess the effect of the Apprenticeship Levy on the number of apprenticeship starts.

Anne Milton: The National Apprenticeship Service undertakes a wide range of activities with employers of all sizes. This is to make sure they are aware of the apprenticeship levy and are encouraged to use it along with other funding reforms to grow their apprenticeship programmes. Such activities include meetings, events, a National Contact Centre, and personal account management for the largest levy-paying employers. In 2018, we will be launching National Apprenticeship Week in March, which will celebrate apprenticeships across all industries. In addition, our Apprenticeship and Young Apprenticeship Ambassador networks will be promoting the government's reforms amongst employers.We also work with the Apprenticeship Delivery Board, which advises on, and will play an active part in supporting the expansion of apprenticeships nationally.Pursuant to the reply for question 112477, which can be found at: http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&uin=112477, we continue to engage with employers, providers and apprentices to review the impact of apprenticeship reforms, including the apprencticeship levy.

Veterinary Services: Apprentices

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will introduce proposals to create new apprenticeships in the veterinary sector.

Anne Milton: The Institute for Apprenticeships has responsibility for supporting the development of standards and assessment plans by employer groups, and reviewing and approving them. There is currently a standard for Registered Veterinary Nurse in development.Our apprenticeship reforms have put control back into the hands of employers, enabling them to gain the skilled workforce to compete globally. As part of these reforms, employers can submit proposals to the Institute for Apprenticeships directly in order to design new high quality apprenticeship standards to ensure apprenticeships are more responsive to their needs. The development of standards is dependent on employer demand. The availability of apprenticeships in any given location or sector is determined by employers choosing to offer opportunities and recruiting apprentices.

Mathematics: Education

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to paragraph 4.24 of Autumn Budget 2017, what funding her Department plans to allocate for (a) expanding the Teaching for Mastery maths programme, (b) the premium for pupils taking maths, further maths or core maths, (c) providing an annual £350,000 for every maths school under the specialist maths school model, (d) the pilot to improve GCSE maths resit outcomes and (e) establishing Further Education Centres of Excellence in each of the next five financial years.

Nick Gibb: Autumn Budget announced £177 million investment in maths over the next 5 years. The budgeted amounts for each of the specified programmes are as follows: - £27 million to further expand the Teaching for Mastery maths programme to reach 11,000 primary and secondary schools by 2022-23;- £83.2 million to provide £600 for every additional pupil taking Maths or Further Maths A levels or Core Maths;- £18 million additional funding for specialist Maths Schools;- £8.5 million for the post-16 basic Maths pilot, which will run for 2 years; and- £40.3 million for Further Education Centres of Excellence. £ million2018-192019-202020-212021-222022-23TOTALa) Teaching for mastery of mathematics6669027b) Maths premium for 16-19 year olds04.61526.63783.2c) Maths schools0355518d) Post-16 basic Maths pilot004.34.208.5e) FE Centres of Excellence7.26.58.58.99.240.3These figures do not include the Barnett consequential for these measures, which is provided to the Devolved Administrations. The Department for Education's total budgets in 2020-21 and beyond will be set at a future Spending Review, but will include the full costs of these Budget measures.

Extracurricular Activities

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what additional funding her Department has made available or plans to make available to secondary schools to increase the range of activities offered to pupils outside the school day; and whether any funding was provided for that purpose from the soft drinks industry levy.

Mr Robert Goodwill: £100 million of funding from the soft drinks industry levy in 2018-19 will be provided for the healthy pupils’ capital fund. This funding will be made available to improve school facilities to support a range of healthy pupils activities, including PE and sports, after school activities and healthy eating.

Primary Education: Sports

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the average number of hours of sport and physical activity undertaken by pupils in primary schools in England in each year since 2010.

Mr Robert Goodwill: We have developed the Active Lives: Children and Young People survey (ALC), to provide a world-leading approach to gathering data on how children engage with sport and physical activity. Each term, a number of schools will be selected randomly to take part in the survey, with the aim of getting 100,000 children and young people in Years 1 to 11 to complete it each academic year. The survey will include measures of children’s activity levels, physical literacy, wellbeing, self-efficacy and levels of social trust.The first set of baseline results will be available from early 2019, and will give us a better, and more joined-up, understanding of children’s engagement in sport and physical activity through their early lives and into adulthood. The Department of Education has not collected data on time spent participating in sport or physical activity by pupils in primary schools prior to the establishment of the Active Lives Children Survey.

Primary Education: Sports

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to encourage primary school students to participate in after-school sports clubs.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Through the primary PE and sport premium, the government has invested over £600 million of ring-fenced funding to primary schools to improve PE and sport since 2013. The government has doubled the premium to £320 million a year from September 2017 using revenue from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy.Schools must use the funding to make additional and sustainable improvements to the quality of PE and sport they offer. The premium must be used to develop or add to the PE and sport activities that a school already offers and make improvements now that will benefit pupils joining the school in future years, including after school clubs.An independent evaluation report into the premium was published in December 2015. It found that 77% of schools surveyed introduced new sports in both curricular PE (74%) and extra-curricular sport (77%) since the premium was introduced.Through its new Families Fund, Sport England will be investing up to £40 million into projects which offer new opportunities for families with children to get active and play sport together. Sport England is currently working with applicants who are developing proposals for the first tranche of investment (£10 million) from the Families Fund.

Children: Day Care

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of programmes in England providing free meals and activities for children during school holidays; what funding his Department has provided for such programmes in each of the last three years; and what steps his Department is taking to promote such programmes.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The department has not made any assessment of the number of school holiday programmes there are in England. Schools are not required to provide food for children during the school holidays. Therefore, my department does not provide funding for school holiday programmes. We are currently considering the School Holidays (Meals and Activities) Bill, which considers this issue, and will be responding in due course.

Children: Day Care

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of children looked after by foster carers use the 15 hours of universally available funded childcare.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I am sorry, but the department does not hold the data requested.

Children: Day Care

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the cost of extending 30 hours of funded childcare to children in foster care.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Foster carers play a vital role in supporting some of our most vulnerable children and we recognise the importance of effective support for the recruitment and retention of foster carers. However, we also need to consider whether it is possible for children in foster care to take up the additional hours in a way that promotes the best interests of the child so I would like to work with local councils, fostering service providers and others in the sector to ensure we get the balance right. We will aim to set out more detail in due course.

Church Schools: Admissions

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what representations she has received on removing the 50 per cent cap on new Catholic schools; and what plans she has to bring forward legislative proposals on removing that cap.

Anne Milton: Ministers and officials have met with a range of partners and stakeholders to discuss the proposals set out in the consultation document, ‘Schools that work for everyone’, including the removal of the 50% cap on faith admissions in faith designated free schools. The department is considering carefully the results of the consultation and plan to respond in due course.

Special Educational Needs

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many applications have been made for education, health and care plans in (a) the UK, (b) Greater London and (c) the London Borough of Newham in 2017.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The number of children and young people assessed for an education, health and care plan for England, by region and by local authority, are available on the department’s website.The latest data is available for the 2016 calendar year and can be viewed in table 7 via: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statements-of-sen-and-ehc-plans-england-2017. This data only applies to regions within England.

Children: Disadvantaged

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will require local authorities to produce a strategy for improving disadvantaged children’s outcomes.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The government recognises that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds can face additional challenges to achieving their potential. This is why we introduced the pupil premium in 2011 and invested over £11 billion, which includes almost £2.5 billion this year alone, in schools so that they can provide extra support to disadvantaged pupils of all abilities. The attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers has decreased both at age 11 and age 16 since 2011. Schools have discretion over how they use pupil premium funding, according to the identified needs of their pupils. While we have no plans to require local councils to produce strategies for improving disadvantaged children’s outcomes, they are free to do so if they wish.

Schools: Finance

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to paragraph 4.24 of the Autumn Budget 2017, what baseline year will apply for new schools opening in future academic years.

Nick Gibb: Further information about the post-16 mathematics premium announced in the Budget will be released in due course. This information will set out which year will act as the baseline for determining the number of extra pupils taking level 3 mathematics qualifications, including how this will apply to new schools.

Students: Loans

Gordon Marsden: To ask Secretary of State for Education, what projection his Department has made of the increased cost of each year of graduate debt write-offs following the changes to the student loans repayment threshold proposed in Table 1.9 of Autumn Budget 2017.

Joseph Johnson: The government has frozen tuition fees for academic year 2018/19 and for financial year 2018-19 has raised both the repayment threshold and the thresholds at which variable interest rates apply to borrowers in repayment. The repayment threshold will rise from £21,000 to £25,000 for the 2018-19 financial year (from 6 April 2018). Following the threshold change, interest will be charged at RPI for those earning below £25,000 (compared to £21,000 before) and at RPI+3% for those earning above £45,000 (compared to £41,000 before), with interest applied on sliding scale for those earning between those two thresholds. Changes in write-offs are reflected in the Resource Accounting and Budgeting (RAB) charge, which is the estimated cost to government of borrowing to support the student finance system. It is based on future loan write-offs and interest subsidies in net present value terms. For convenience, we express these costs as a proportion of the initial loan outlay. Following the recent change to the repayment threshold for post-2012 loans we estimate the RAB charge for higher education loans has increased from around 30% to between 40% and 45%. The cost of the system is a conscious investment in young people. It is the policy subsidy required to make higher and further education widely available, achieving the government’s objectives of increasing the skills in the economy and ensuring access to university for all with the potential to benefit.

Students: Fees and Charges

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when her Department plans to end the upper parameter limit on tuition fees?

Joseph Johnson: This government has no plans to remove the maximum tuition fee limits.

Soft Drinks: Taxation

Angela Rayner: To ask Secretary for State for Education, with reference to paragraph 1.95 of the Budget 2016, how much has been allocated on the policies listed in that paragraph in financial year 2017-18.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Budget 2016 announced funding for a number of programmes linked to the revenue from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy. Funding for the Primary PE and Sport Premium has been doubled to £320 million for academic year 2017/18. Funding for the premium is paid in academic years, with 7/12ths of the funding paid in the autumn term and the remaining 5/12ths in the summer term. In financial year 2017-18 £95 million will be provided from the soft drinks industry levy. We published an invitation to tender on the 16 October 2017 indicating that we are investing £26 million from the levy over the next three years to expand breakfast club provision. The expectation is that £1 million funding will be provided in 2017-18 to the breakfast club programme. We announced in February 2017 the healthy pupils’ capital programme will build on the government’s plans for schools to provide a longer school day by changing the focus of the scheme to provide new facilities or improve existing ones to make it easier for a range of extra-curricular activities to be provided. Funding for the healthy pupils capital fund will be provided in 2018-19.

Schools: Sports

Paula Sherriff: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding the Government plans to allocate to the PE and Sport Premium in (a) 2017-18, (b) 2018-19, (c) 2019-20, (d) 2020-21, (e) 2021-22, and (f) 2022-23.

Mr Robert Goodwill: We want all pupils to be healthy and active. This is why since 2013 the government has invested over £600 million of ring-fenced funding to primary schools to improve PE through the Primary PE and Sport Premium. The Department for Education and the Department of Health contribute £100 million and £60 million per year to the premium respectively, with the Soft Drinks Levy funding contributing £415 million over the remainder of the current spending review period (see attached table). Funding for 2020-21 onwards will be considered at the next Spending Review.



Funding for the premium from the Soft Drinks Levy
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Pupils: Health

Paula Sherriff: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much the Government has allocated to the healthy pupil capital fund in the next two financial years; and what proportion of that funding is ring-fenced from the soft drinks industry levy.

Mr Robert Goodwill: As announced by the Secretary of State on 17 July, we will invest £100 million in 2018-19 for healthy pupils’ capital. All funding for the healthy pupils capital fund will be provided by the soft drinks industry levy.

Union Learning Fund

Paula Sherriff: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much government funding was allocated to the Union Learning Fund in each financial year from 2009-2010 to 2014-2015.

Anne Milton: Since the financial year 2009-10, the government has allocated the following funding to the Union Learning Fund: Financial YearSupport to the Union Learning Fund (£ million)2009-1013.42010-1113.32011-1213.22012-1313.02013-1412.22014-1511.2

Breakfast Clubs

Paula Sherriff: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether funding for the planned £26 million contract to provide breakfast clubs will be allocated from revenue raised from the soft drinks industry levy.

Mr Robert Goodwill: We announced within the Childhood Obesity Plan in August 2016 that we would launch a breakfast club programme using funds from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy. We published an invitation to tender on the 16 October 2017 indicating that we are investing £26 million from the levy over the next three years to expand breakfast club provision.

Arts: Education

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to provide funding for creative skills education.

Anne Milton: The government announced almost £400 million of funding in 2016-20 for a diverse portfolio of music and arts education programmes that are designed to improve access for all children. This includes £300 million for music education hubs, £58 million in 2016-18 for the Music and Dance Scheme, which allows exceptionally talented children to attend specialist music and dance institutions. £27 million has been provided for Dance and Drama Awards which supports students aged 16-23 to access specialist dance and drama provision at 18 institutions. And £8 million has been offered in 2016-18 for cultural education programmes including Saturday Art and Design Clubs, the National Youth Dance Company and the BFI’s Film Academy programme. Level 2 and 3 creative skill qualifications are currently provided by a range of 16 to 19-year-old providers and can be included in study programmes. As long as these programmes comply with the guidelines they will attract funding under 16 to 19-year-old funding rules. The government has maintained funding for the Adult Education Budget (AEB), which is supporting adult skills participation with £1.5 billion this year. The principal purpose of the AEB is to engage adults and provide the skills and learning they need to equip them for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. It will enable more tailored programmes of learning to be made available which do not need to include a qualification. As recommended by the Independent Panel on Technical Education, we have created a framework of 15 occupational routes that encompass all employment-based and college-based training. Amongst these routes will include the new T-level qualifications. The implementation of these routes will be phased and the Creative and Design route will be rolled out in September 2022. Once these routes are fully rolled out there will be over £500 million additional funding for the delivery of all T-levels to 16 to 19-year olds per year. Employers can now develop new apprenticeships across a range of sectors to meet their skills needs, and can submit proposals for new apprenticeships directly to the Institute for Apprenticeships. There are already a range of apprenticeships available in the Creative sector including live event rigger, live event technician, assistant technical director for visual effects and outside broadcasting engineer. Many more are in development including journalist, ceramicist and puppet maker.

Ministry of Justice

Sentencing

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people received custodial sentences in 2016; and how many such people received a sentence of (a) over 12 months, (b) less than six months, (c) less than three months, (d) less than one month and (e) less than two weeks.

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women received custodial sentences in 2016; and how many such people received a sentence of (a) over 12 months, (b) less than six months, (c) less than three months, (d) less than one month and (e) less than two weeks.

Dominic Raab: The number of custodial sentences issued in England and Wales in 2016, including those received by women, can be viewed in the attached table. 



Table
(Excel SpreadSheet, 29 KB)

Members: Correspondence

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for St Helens North dated 14 September 2017.

Dominic Raab: The Minister of State has responded to the letter from hon. Member of St Helens North dated 14 September 2017, sent by email and post on Thursday 16 November 2017.

Magistrates' Courts: City of Westminster

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what monitoring his Department has in place to ensure that Westminster Magistrates Court is compliant with disability access legislation.

Dominic Raab: HM Courts & Tribunals Service has a programme of monthly inspections which are undertaken across the estate, including at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, to ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010. Westminster Magistrates’ Court is currently compliant.

Criminal Proceedings: Fees and Charges

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the value is of criminal courts charges that have (a) been levied, (b) been paid, (c) been written off and (d) remained outstanding in the last 12 months.

Dominic Raab: The table below shows the total value of criminal courts charge imposed, collected, cancelled and outstanding in England and Wales in the last 12 monthsYearTotal Value ImposedTotal Value Collected regardless of Imposition dateTotal Value Legally Cancelled regardless of Imposition dateTotal Value Administratively Cancelled regardless of Imposition dateTotal Value Outstanding regardless of Imposition dateYear to 30/09/201707,099,0731,694,221203,85335,614,174 The criminal courts charge was introduced in April 2015 and applied to all adult offenders. It was abolished on 24 December 2015 but impositions prior to that date remained outstanding. HM Courts and Tribunals service actively manages all outstanding court ordered financial impositions and uses a number of intelligence tools to identify and implement suitable enforcement sanctions against those who fail to comply with the order. Outstanding amounts can be taken from the offender’s benefits or earnings or if this is not possible warrants can be issued to recover the amounts owed. HMCTS remains committed to finding new ways to ensure impositions are paid and to trace those who do not pay. This is why there has been year on year increase in the total amount of financial imposition collected over the last five years. The amount of financial imposition collected has risen from £381m at the end of 2015/16 to a record of £440 million at the end of 2016/17. Impositions can only be cancelled in one of two ways:Legal cancellations which are at the direction of Judge or magistrate and are used where cases have been re-opened and the defendant has been found not guilty, following the presentation of additional information. Legal cancellations can be full or partial remittances of financial impositions.Administrative cancellations which are non legal and can only be applied in very limited specific circumstances and in accordance with strict cancellation criteria for example when the defendant is deceased.

Juries: Mental Health

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether an individual can opt out of jury service if the case includes sensitive or traumatic details that may affect their mental health.

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what support is available to individuals who do jury service in sensitive cases.

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether members of the public who do jury service in sensitive or difficult cases are warned about the nature of the evidence before the case takes place.

Dominic Raab: There is a range of guidance material available to jurors. The Juror Charter sets out the minimum standards that a juror can expect from HM Courts & Tribunals Service at each stage of their jury service, including when jurors may be experiencing distress. It is available online and in courts. A leaflet entitled ‘Supporting You Through Jury Service’, which offers further advice to jurors, is also available in courts and on-line. If a juror has any concerns, including when the type of case is initially disclosed, they may state these to the Usher or Jury Officer. Jurors can also write a note which sets out their concerns, which will be passed to the trial judge. The judge will discuss with Counsel and decide whether to discharge the juror from the trial. Jurors are encouraged to speak to their GP and/or the Samaritans if any aspect of their jury service has left them feeling distressed. Their GP can help them to access counselling services and the Samaritans can provide support over the telephone, email or through a local Samaritans branch. The judiciary are responsible for engaging with the jury on the nature of the evidence in sensitive or difficult cases. The trial judge will seek to meet the interests of justice without causing undue anxiety to any juror and may therefore take an independent decision to warn the jury of likely distressing evidence. The trial judge also has the discretion, in appropriate circumstances, to dismiss any juror who may find the evidence too distressing to continue.

Legal Aid Scheme

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many victims of human trafficking have received Legal Aid in each of the last three years.

Dominic Raab: The Legal Aid Agency cannot identify all applicants for legal aid that have been victims of trafficking, as such a status is only captured in certain cases, for example where an individual is bringing a compensation claim against their traffickers. Victims of trafficking can also access other forms of legal aid, although such cases will not be discernible from the LAA’s systems. Financial YearTrafficking/Modern Slavery Matters2014-2015512015-2016342016-201739  The figures above are based on completed Legal Help/CLR and Civil Representation workload for the time periods requested. Although our databases record matters related to victims of trafficking, in practice this will also include victims of modern slavery, which cannot be separately reported on.

Forensic Science

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to Written Ministerial Statement HCWS265, what estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) tests and (b) individuals tested by Trimega between 2010 and 2014.

Dominic Raab: The Government’s immediate priority is to work with the police to establish the full scale of the potential impact on the public of the alleged manipulation of toxicology test results. Due to apparent poor record keeping by Trimega, a reliable estimate of the number of tests and the number of individuals involved is not possible at this time. The Government recognises the concern many family court users will have and the potential impact on their families. This is why a bespoke court process has been created with a specific court form to enable the individuals concerned to ask the court to consider varying or setting aside a final order from the original proceedings.

Solicitors: Regulation

Sir Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to alter the arrangements for supervision of solicitors in response to the Ecohouse fraud; and if he will make a statement.

Dominic Raab: Legal services in England and Wales are independently regulated in accordance with the framework set out in the Legal Services Act 2007. Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which prosecutes solicitors and firms involved in dubious investment schemes, as it has done in this case. The SRA and others have issued a series of warnings for the public and the profession to be wary of questionable investment schemes.

Drugs: Misuse

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for selling (i) black mamba and (ii) spice under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Dominic Raab: It is not possible to identify from centrally held data the number of defendants prosecuted and convicted for possession of or selling black mamba and spice without incurring disproportionate cost.

Holloway Prison

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the successful tender for the purchase of the land at the site of former HM Prison Holloway for using that land to build (a) genuinely affordable housing and (b) social housing.

Dr Phillip Lee: The Government set out its ambition for a reformed prison estate in the November 2016 Prison Safety and Reform White Paper. Our reforms will close down ageing and ineffective prisons and replace them with buildings fit for today’s demands. Our new prison estate will create the physical conditions for Governors to achieve better educational, training and rehabilitation outcomes. My officials are in regular contact with the Department for Communities and Local Government about the progress of the public sector land programme. The bids for the former Holloway prison and young offender institution have been received and we will be evaluating them. They are commercially sensitive and no decision has been made on the successful tenderer.

Prisoners' Release

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of prisoners who are (a) in employment and (b) housed as a result of the Government's resettlement policies.

Mr Sam Gyimah: We do not hold exact data on the numbers of prisoners currently in employment on release. Matched MOJ-DWP data indicates that 17% of those released from custody in 2011/12 were in P45 employment one year after release. More recent data from 2014/15 indicates that at a national level 26.5% of prisoners were entering employment upon release, but this data was self-reported.Supporting offenders into meaningful employment is a vital part of the Government’s approach to tackling reoffending. That is why we are working to better link skills and training in prison to employment on release. We will also continue to drive innovative employment programmes like the Prisoner Apprenticeship Pathway, where prisoners will receive high quality, employer-led training and work experience in custody that leads to a guaranteed apprenticeship on release, and the New Futures Network (NFN), that will support empowered governors to broker relationships between prisons and employers more effectively. Initiatives like these, coupled with work to incentivise employers to work with ex-offenders, will all help ensure offenders have the best chance of securing employment immediately on release.We currently do not have comprehensive and accurate figures on the number of offenders with different types of accommodation needs, both on entry to prison and on release. Nevertheless, in the year ending March 2017, 70% of offenders released during 2016/17, excluding those released in London, to the supervision of the Community Rehabilitation Companies were settled in accommodation, whether in permanent housing, with family or friends, or in supported housing or hostels. The remaining 30% were released with either unknown or unsettled accommodation outcomes. We are committed to improving accommodation outcomes for offenders on release.

Prisons: Festivals and Special Occasions

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November to Question 111268, what guidance his Department issues to prisons on the promotion of (a) Holocaust Memorial Day, (b) Black History Month and (c) National Hate Crime Awareness Week.

Dr Phillip Lee: Prisons are free to decide locally how they promote events such as Holocaust Memorial Day, Black History Month and National Hate Crime Awareness Week. National Prison Radio promotes national support for local initiatives, and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service also provides information to offenders and staff including via its staff networks.

Bedford Prison

Mohammad Yasin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners aged (a) 19, (b) 20 and (c) 21 years old are held at HM Prison Bedford.

Mr Sam Gyimah: As of 30 September 2017, the number of prisoners aged 19, 20 and 21 held at HM Prison Bedford was as follows:There were 13 prisoners aged 19There were 17 prisoners aged 20There were 14 prisoners aged 21

Courts: Compensation

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the amount was of each of the 20 highest compensation orders issued against offenders in each of the last five years; and to what offence each compensation order was related.

Dr Phillip Lee: The information requested can be found in the table attached.



Top 20 compensation orders 2012-13 - 2016-17
(Excel SpreadSheet, 11.39 KB)

Prime Minister

British Irish Council

Layla Moran: To ask the Prime Minister, when she expects next to attend a meeting of the British-Irish Council.

Layla Moran: To ask the Prime Minister, when a Prime Minister last attended a meeting of the British-Irish Council.

Mrs Theresa May: The Government is fully committed to the British-Irish Council as a forum to maintain and strengthen relations between governments. Ministerial attendance of Summits of the British-Irish Council is subject to the matter under discussion and ministerial availability.

Borders: Northern Ireland

Hugh Gaffney: To ask the Prime Minister, when she last met with the Taoiseach; and whether at that meeting they discussed the matter of the Irish-UK border after the UK leaves the EU.

Mrs Theresa May: I refer the hon. Member to the press release issued on 17 November following my meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and which is available on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-irish-taoiseach-leo-varadkar-17-november-2017

Ministry of Defence

Army

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) officers and (b) soldiers there were in the British Army in each year since 2000.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Armed Forces: Bereavement Counselling

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of  17 November to Question 111719 on Armed Forces: Bereavement Counselling, (a) when the eight members attended the Visiting Officer course and (b) who provided the training; and if he will make a statement.

Harriett Baldwin: The Army's Bereavement and Aftercare Support (BAS) team are a part of the overall welfare process, with specific focus for the notification and aftercare support for casualties and bereaved families. The BAS team act in support of the Visiting Officer (VO) in the early stages of bereavement and once the time is right for the VO to be stood down, they provide the enduring support for the families.The VO course is delivered by the Head of the Army BAS team and his training staff, and is mandatory for all VO and new members of the BAS team. The eight BAS staff attended the course between 2007 and 2017, according to when they joined the team.

EU Defence Policy

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what UK obligations arise as a result of being party to the EU Coordinated Annual Review on Defence.

Harriett Baldwin: The EU Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) is conducting a trial run in which the UK is participating. The UK is providing data on our Defence policy and plans as well as our military and non-military capabilities; the information is consistent with our commitment to provide UK Defence information to NATO, through the NATO Defence Planning Process. The UK has not made a decision whether to continue to participate in CARD beyond this trial.

European Defence Agency

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for future association with the European Defence Agency; and if he will make a statement.

Harriett Baldwin: The UK remains committed to the defence and security of Europe, and protecting the interests of UK industry.The European Defence Agency (EDA) has a central coordinating role between EU Member States, the European Commission, and countries outside the EU (which must have an Administrative Arrangement with the EDA agreed by all participating Member States) in the development of defence capabilities. The level of future UK cooperation with the EDA will form part of the wider EU withdrawal considerations.

EU Defence Policy

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which programmes conceptualised at European Defence Agency level have subsequently been transferred to non-EU intergovernmental procurement and research agencies; and if he will make a statement.

Harriett Baldwin: The following programmes have been transferred from the European Defence Agency to non-EU intergovernmental agencies: the European Medium Altitude Long Endurance programme, which is now managed by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR); the Multi-role Tanker Transport Fleet programme, for which OCCAR manages the acquisition as the NATO Support and Procurement Agency's Contract Executing Agent; and the European Secure Software Defined Radio project, which is managed by OCCAR.

Military Alliances

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a list of bilateral and multilateral defence agreements excluding those with NATO and the EU.

Harriett Baldwin: Bilateral and multilateral defence agreements in treaty form can be found on the UK Treaties Online database and since 2010 there has been a legal requirement to lay new treaties before Parliament. Bilateral and multilateral defence agreements in memorandum of understanding or contract form cannot be listed and placed in the Library as listing would prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and other states and would or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

NATO: Assets

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on participation in the NATO pooled assets programmes, with reference to the multi-role tanker transport fleet; and if he will make a statement.

Harriett Baldwin: The Multi-role Tanker Transport Fleet nests within the joint European/NATO acquisition programme initiated by the European Defence Agency. The UK is not a participant in the programme and we do not currently have an intention to participate. The Royal Air Force operates its own Multi-Role Transport Aircraft with Air to Air Refuelling capability in its 10 Voyager K2/K3 aircraft. These national assets form part of our national commitment to meeting the capability targets apportioned by NATO to the UK.

EU Defence Policy

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on developing a common strategy for the emerging common EU market in defence.

Harriett Baldwin: Ministry of Defence Ministers regularly discuss European defence industrial issues and strategy with their ministerial colleagues. The overall objective of these discussions is to ensure the EU promotes open markets, that it supports NATO and the transatlantic relationship, and does not threaten UK defence and defence industrial interests.

EU Defence Policy

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on participation in the rationalisation of EU defence industries on the basis of national specialisation; and if he will make a statement.

Harriett Baldwin: The UK is not aware of any EU efforts to rationalise EU defence industries on the basis of national specialisation. The UK believes that rationalisation is primarily a decision for the defence industry while also respecting nations sovereign right to intervene on the basis of national security interests.

Defence: Procurement

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what advice his Department provides to businesses on access to EU funds for defence procurement and research and development after the UK leaves the EU.

Harriett Baldwin: The UK is open to considering options and models for UK participation in EU defence research and development initiatives but this remains a matter for negotiation. We regularly update UK businesses on the progress of the negotiations.

European Defence Fund

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for UK participation in the European Defence Research Programme.

Harriett Baldwin: Through our future partnership, we want to explore how best to ensure that both UK and European companies can continue working together to deliver the capabilities that we all need to protect Europe.The UK is open to considering options and models for UK participation in European defence research and development and capability programmes and initiatives but this is subject to negotiation.

Defence: Finance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what extra liabilities arise for the UK from the funding linkage between the European Investment Bank and European Defence Fund programmes.

Harriett Baldwin: The European Defence Fund programme comprises the Research Window and a Capability Window, itself divided into a European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) and a Financial Toolbox. Both the Research Window and the EDIDP will be funded from the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework and have no funding linkages with the European Investment Bank (EIB). There is as yet little detail on the Commission's proposal for a Financial Toolbox.

Defence: Finance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the UK share is of European Investment Bank funding of European Defence Fund programmes.

Harriett Baldwin: There is as yet no European Investment Bank (EIB) funding of the European Defence Fund (EDF) programme. With the EU Commission's 'Financial Toolbox' proposal still in the very early stages of development, it is unlikely that there will be any EIB funding of the EDF while the UK is in the EU, and accordingly no UK share.

EU Defence Policy

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the UK share is of the EU Cooperative Financial Mechanism.

Harriett Baldwin: There is currently no UK share of the EU Cooperative Financial Mechanism (CFM). The CFM is a new European Defence Agency initiative and is being established on the basis that Member States shall only contribute funds on a voluntary basis. The UK has yet to make a decision on whether it will seek to remain party to the CFM in the longer term.

Defence: Assets

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in which common defence assets held on the EU register of assets the UK has a share.

Harriett Baldwin: The EU Force Catalogue provides a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the military capabilities that Member States could make available to the EU. Member States contribute to EU capabilities under an agreed common funding mechanism but do not have shares in assets per se, and deployment of national capabilities in support of EU operations and missions remains a sovereign decision.

EU Defence Policy

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on participation in the European Defence Industrial Development Programme after the UK has left the EU and if he will make a Statement.

Harriett Baldwin: We are open to considering options and models for participation in the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) after we have left the EU, but any final decision shall form part of the wider withdrawal negotiations. We have also argued strongly during the current negotiations of the EDIDP draft Regulation that it should be open to third country industrial participation, and that it complements other cooperative programmes, including those developed through NATO.

EU Defence Policy

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the UK programmes providing support for the development of the European Defence Technology Industrial Base.

Mark Lancaster: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

EU Defence Policy

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the UK's planned financial contribution is to the Military Planning and Conduct Capability.

Harriett Baldwin: For 2018, the Military Planning and Conduct Capability proposed budget is €300,000, of which the UK will pay an amount in accordance with the yet to be agreed 2018 Cost Key.

Northern Ireland Universities Air Squadron

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Northern Ireland University Air Squadron will reach its capacity of planned student places.

Harriett Baldwin: The Northern Ireland Universities Air Squadron intends to increase student numbers up to 60, commencing at the start of the next academic year in September 2018.

Defence Vetting Agency

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many investigations have been carried out by National Security Vetting in each of the last ten years; and how many of those investigations resulted in the reinstatement of security clearance.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Department for Work and Pensions

Employment and Support Allowance

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether a claimant in receipt of the employment and support allowance Work-Related Activity Group addition of £29.05 per week, living in a universal credit full service area and takes but subsequently loses a job within 12 weeks, will receive restored entitlement to the £29.05 addition.

Sarah Newton: If the return to work was agreed as permitted work, then the ESA award will not be affected.

Personal Independence Payment: Oxfordshire

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications for Personal Independence Payments from people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis have been rejected in (a) Oxford (b) Oxfordshire (c) Oxford West and Abingdon constituency in each of the last 5 years.

Sarah Newton: The Department does not record disabling conditions of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants at registration stage. Disabling conditions are recorded on the PIP Computer System only for those claimants who undergo a face to face or paper based assessment. Therefore we are unable to provide the number of refused PIP applications which were made by people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Universal Credit

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to suspend the full-rollout of universal credit planned for 29 November 2017 in (a) Brighton and Hove, (b) other areas where the six week wait falls over the Christmas period and (c) other areas where roll-out is planned prior to implementation of the changes recently announced in the House; and if he will make a statement.

Damian Hinds: As announced in the Secretary of State’s oral Statement, we have carefully revised the rollout plan for Universal Credit, to ensure we continue safely and gradually to rollout this important welfare reform. It is important to remember, that new claimants in December can already receive an advance of up to 50% of their overall entitlement, and may receive a second advance to take it up to 100% in the New Year. After Christmas, the period over which an advance is recovered will increase from six to 12 months, making it easier for claimants to manage their finances. This will apply regardless of the level of advance claimed. Measures are in place to safeguard payments where people would be impacted by bank holidays to ensure that they have money over the festive period; This includes the careful assessment of technical systems and banking systems availability, to ensure successful payments can be made. This year we have enhanced the functionality and added a faster payment contingency function for Universal Credit.UC payments due to be received on 23, 24, 25 & 26 December will be paid no later than 22 December.UC payments due to be received on 30, 31 December & 1 January will receive payment no later than 29 December.

Recruitment: Visual Impairment

Laura Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he has taken to ensure that visually impaired job applicants are guaranteed adequate magnification facilities on workplace computers, and that they are not discriminated against in job application processes.

Sarah Newton: Under the Equality Act (2010), employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for employees who have a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. When a disabled person thinks they might have been treated unfairly and want further advice, they should contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service here: https://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/Most, if not all, computer operating systems have screen magnification options built into their Accessibility settings. Physical screen magnifying equipment is not usually expensive and may well fall within the scope of a reasonable adjustment. However, if there are any instances where expensive specialist screen magnification equipment is required for an employee or a job applicant, it may be possible for Access to Work (ATW) to support its provision.Access to Work is a demand-led, discretionary grant scheme which provides practical and financial support with the additional costs faced by individuals whose health or disability affects the way they do their job. The scheme does not replace the duty an employer has under the Equality Act to make reasonable adjustments. Instead it provides support that is over and above that which is a reasonable adjustment. More information about Access to Work can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work.We are promoting the skills and talents of disabled people and those with long term health conditions to employers through the Disability Confident Scheme. The Scheme focuses on the role of employers, who have a crucial role to play in ensuring disabled people are recruited, retained and developed in their careers. We are also using Disability Confident to disseminate information about employers’ responsibilities and the support available for both employers and individuals. You can find out more about Disability Confident here: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

Employment and Support Allowance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Maximus CHDA assessment centres have recording equipment available for use by employment support allowance claimants undergoing assessments; what the average number of recording units available is in each assessment centre; and what the cost per unit is of those recording units.

Sarah Newton: Centre for Health and Disability Assessments currently have135 recording devices available to Assessment Centres as required. Not all Assessment Centres currently hold recording equipment permanently on site as the demand to record assessments is currently low. In October 2017 less than 1% of claimants asked to have their assessment recorded. Despite the very low number of requests, DWP is still making this service available. Claimants are required to notify Centre for Health and Disability Assessments in advance if they want their assessment recorded and Centre for Health and Disability Assessments will ensure that recording equipment is made available at the assessment centre, including transferring the equipment to sites if required. Since Centre for Health and Disability Assessments took over the contract to deliver Work Capability Assessments there has not been a need to purchase new recording units so an up-to-date cost estimate cannot be provided.

Pensioners: Bereavement Support Payment

Oliver Dowden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will extend Bereavement Support Payments to people above the state pension age.

Caroline Dinenage: Many working age people are unprepared for the significant financial impact immediately following a bereavement. Thus Bereavement Support Payment is intended to provide short-term financial support for a bereaved spouse or civil partner following premature death during working life. This is a long-standing position in bereavement benefits which the Government has no plans to change.

Universal Credit: Cardiff

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons the rollout of universal credit is not being delayed in Cardiff.

Damian Hinds: There are no plans to pause the rollout of Universal Credit. We have, however, carefully revised the rollout plan to ensure we continue safely and gradually to rollout this important welfare reform. This will mean a slight change in date for when Universal Credit Full Service will be rolled out in some Jobcentres.

Employment

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Government plans to lay its annual report on progress towards full employment before Parliament as required by the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016?

Damian Hinds: The requirement to lay an annual report before Parliament on the progress towards full employment was revoked by the dissolution of Parliament on 3 May 2017, under section 1(2) of the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016. This was before the first anniversary of the requirement coming into force on 16 May 2016.

Jobcentres: Glasgow

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff car parking spaces there are  at Shettleston Jobcentre.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many car parking spaces there are for the use of customers at Shettleston Jobcentre.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many car parking spaces will be available for the use of staff at Shettleston Jobcentre following its merger with Bridgeton, Easterhouse and Parkhead Jobcentres.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many car parking spaces will be available for the use of customers at Shettleston Jobcentre following its merger with Bridgeton, Easterhouse and Parkhead Jobcentres.

Damian Hinds: Shettleston Jobcentre has a total of 36 parking spaces which are made available to staff. Two of these parking spaces are for disabled staff. Car park spaces are allocated to staff following locally agreed guidelines. Although on site car parking can be advantageous for staff, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is not required to provide car parking facilities for staff. Not all DWP offices have their own car parking facilities but if they do, they will each have their own local car parking arrangements. There are no on site car parking spaces for the use of customers at Shettleston Jobcentre and no requirement for DWP to provide car parking facilities for customers on site. There is street parking available close to Shettleston Jobcentre.

Personal Independence Payment: Mental Illness

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the reassessment period for people with mental health problems receiving personal independence payments.

Sarah Newton: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I previously gave on 15 November 2017 to Question UIN 111959

Marriage Guidance

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 6 October 2017 to Question 105652 (a) how the £30 million made available for relationship support services between April 2017 and March 2020 has been allocated in 2017/18, (b) what the planned total investment in relationship support programmes was for 2018/19 and 2019/20 prior to the November 2017 Budget, (c) what additional funding the November 2017 Budget allocated to relationship support programmes, (d) what the planned total investment in relationship support programmes is for 2018/19 and 2019/20 following the November 2017 Budget and (e) whether government investing in relationship support programmes includes other projects to strengthen families an relationships in addition to the Reducing Parental Conflict Programme.

Daniel Zeichner: To ask Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the planned investment in relationship support programmes was for 2018-19 and 2019-20 prior to any changes announced in Autumn Budget 2017; what additional funding Autumn Budget 2017 allocated to relationship support programmes; what the planned total investment in relationship support programmes is for 2018-19 and 2019-20 as a result of Autumn Budget 2017; and whether that investment in relationship support programmes relates to (a) the Department for Work and Pensions' Reducing Parental Conflict Programme or (b) other programmes or projects intended to strengthen families and relationships.

Caroline Dinenage: We published Improving Lives: Helping Workless Families in April 2017 where we announced a spend of up to £30m to launch the new Reducing Parental Conflict Programme. Planned spend in 17/18 is £5.91m. Funding allocations to projects/business areas in future years are decided on an annual basis and are subject to internal prioritisation.The funding that was announced as part of the 2017 Autumn Budget, safeguards £15m pa investment on relationship support/parental conflict in 18/19 and 19/20. DWP has no plans to fund other projects than those mentioned in the budget statement, however, strengthening families is a cross-government objective and other government departments will be able to confirm their own plans in this area.

Department for Work and Pensions: ICT

Jim McMahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2017 to Question 109193, where the £500 million in investment in IT has been spent; how that amount compares with the original estimate the Government was given from the providers and on which contracts were signed; and whether there are penalties under those contracts for any overspend.

Damian Hinds: To provide the requested information would incur disproportionate cost.However, some information about contracts worth over £10,000 with the government and its agencies are available at: https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder.

Personal Independence Payment: Mental Illness

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training in assessing mental health conditions is available to officials dealing with personal independence claims; and what proportion of such staff have received such training.

Sarah Newton: Training for Health Professionals on how to identify the impact of mental health conditions on a claimant’s ability to carry out the PIP assessment activities is a key feature of both Assessment Providers training programmes. In addition, both Assessment Providers also have Mental Function Champions who are available to provide advice and support to Health Professionals at any point during the assessment process. These are specialist practitioners who have at least 2 years of post–registration clinical experience in a mental health or learning disability role. All DWP Operational staff go through a programme of learning and development during their induction into the Department to equip them to support vulnerable people who access our services. They do not undertake specific training to assess mental health as this would need to be carried out by an appropriate medical expert.

Department for Work and Pensions: Legatum Institute

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what meetings Ministers of his Department has had with representatives of the Legatum Institute in the last 12 months.

Damian Hinds: No meetings have taken place between the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, or his Ministers and representatives of the Legatum Institute.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Animals: Transport

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the number of live animals transported between the UK and its international trading partners in each of the last three years.

George Eustice: The number of farmed animals transported between Great Britain and its international trading partners in each of the last three years are shown in the tables below. APHA only hold export data for Great Britain. Import data has also only been provided for Great Britain for the purpose of consistent comparison. Imports YearNumber of farmed animals*2014144,1772015128,603201672,936 Exports YearNumber of farmed animals*201444,923201534,965201668,205 *Farm animal figures include cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. This excludes fish, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, birds (including poultry day old chicks) rabies susceptible animals and ungulates. This also excludes dogs, cats and ferrets moving into and out of the UK commercially and under the Pet Travel Scheme. The information is held by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on Defra’s and the Scottish and Welsh Governments’ behalf. Northern Ireland has a separate system. The Government is committed to improving the welfare of all animals. The Government has always been clear that it would prefer animals to be slaughtered close to the point of production. EU rules prevent the UK from restricting live exports while it is a member. Our manifesto makes clear we will take early steps to control the export of live farm animals for slaughter, as we leave the European Union. We will set out proposals in due course.

Plastics: Waste Disposal

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of plastic waste (a) was recycled, (b) was incinerated and (c) went to landfill in the latest period for which figures are available.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Data for waste generated and treatment are not structured specifically around material streams, so we cannot provide detailed information on the destination of total plastics waste.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to reflect Decision 17.225 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in the UK.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: At the 17 Conference of the Parties for CITES the UK contributed to achieving strong outcomes for tigers and other Asian big cats species. Since then Defra has funded a workshop which took place in Vietnam on 7 and 8 September 2017. The UK Border Force, along with the National Crime Agency and others held a training workshop with Vietnam’s border staff to share expertise in tackling wildlife crime at the borders including issues such as illegal shipment of animal parts and derivatives. The programme included best practice in training wildlife crime officers and setting wildlife crime priorities.

Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to review compliance with and enforcement of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.

George Eustice: The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 was updated in 2007, following review and consultation. The Act was updated again in 2010 to allow local authorities to focus their enforcement activity more effectively. Based on available evidence we consider that the Act is currently providing appropriate protections.

Agriculture: Trade

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the UK will retain access to the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) after the UK has withdrawn from the EU, whether his Department has carried out any analysis of the potential effect of losing access to TRACES on future trade in animal and plant materials; and what the planned timetable is for creating an alternative domestic system to manage such trade.

George Eustice: The Government is negotiating our exit from the European Union. Defra is working with the Department for Exiting the European Union to look at our future arrangements and has an extensive programme of work focused on preparing for a range of scenarios to make sure we are ready for the point when the UK leaves the EU. This includes the UK’s systems for the management of trade in animal and plant materials.

Dogs: Imports

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of dogs being brought illegally into the UK.

George Eustice: The UK carries out more checks of pets at the border than most other EU Member States and penalties are in place where people are found to be breaking the rules.The purpose of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) is to facilitate the travel into the EU and between Member States of owners with their pets, whilst protecting the country from risks to animal and public health.Some commercial operators have abused the PETS to traffic underage puppies into Great Britain, using falsified pet passports to conceal the animals’ true ages and appropriate action is taken.The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is working in partnership with Dogs Trust, enforcement bodies and transport carriers to identify non-compliant animals destined for Dover and Folkestone ports. This partnership began in December 2015 resulting in 720 puppies being seized and placed into quarantine.Puppy buyers are sometimes misled into purchasing an illegally imported puppy they believe to be domestically bred. Defra has published guidance for owners on buying a pet. This contains guidelines such as buying from a reputable supplier and viewing the animal and its documentation, and also highlights the trade in illegal imports. Defra also works closely with the Pet Advertising Advisory Group to drive up standards for online advertisements and make potential pet owners and website operators more aware of rogue dealers.

Veterinary Services

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the economic value of the veterinary sector.

George Eustice: The Veterinary Profession plays a vital role in protecting animal health and welfare, safeguarding public health and ensuring food safety and enabling trade in animals and animal products. However, the overall economic value of the sector has not been calculated but its positive contribution to national life is recognised.

Birds of Prey: Tagging

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on determining the reasons for the disappearance of raptors satellite tagged by Natural England.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Any hen harriers tagged by Natural England which disappear are immediately reported to the police for further investigation. Any hen harrier corpse which is recovered by Natural England is submitted for a full post-mortem. Natural England’s satellite tracking data, including last fix locations of tagged birds is currently being analysed independently to enable publication of the data next year. The National Wildlife Crime Unit, which is jointly funded by Defra and the Home Office, works closely with Natural England and key partners to investigate raptor disappearances and tackle illegal persecution.

Game: Gun Sports

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will introduce a licensing system or a code of practice for driven grouse shooting.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Government has no plans to introduce a licensing system or a code of practice for driven grouse shooting. There is a code of practice for good shooting developed by the industry (www.codeofgoodshootingpractice.org.uk), which applies to all game shooting, walked up, driven, wild bird or reared.

Forestry Commission

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the (a) number of staff employed and (b) services provided by the Forestry Commission will reduce when it is split into the Forestry Commission Scotland and Forestry Commission England.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: New arrangements for the governance and management of the Forestry Commission following the completion of devolution were announced in the Written Ministerial Statement on 7 November. This will result in the closure of Forestry Commission corporate shared services in Edinburgh as new devolved service arrangements are established; the transfer of certain cross-border functions to the Welsh and Scottish Governments, the rationalisation of administrative functions, and the cessation of time-bound projects. The changes are expected to result in a net reduction by 2020-21 of 46 posts of Commission staff funded through Defra.

Marine Protected Areas

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on completing (a) the UK’s Marine Protected Area designations by 2018 and (b) the third tranche of English Marine Conservation Zones.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The UK has made good progress towards protecting our native marine species and habitats. Over 23% of UK waters are now protected within Marine Protected Areas. This includes 296 sites (excluding Isle of Man and the Channel islands) covering an area of 206,000km2.The UK’s network of marine Special Areas of Conservation is now largely complete. Earlier this year, we classified additional marine Special Protection Areas for birds. Further such sites are due for classification in the near future. These will be in addition to over 100 existing Special Protection Areas with marine components in our network.A third and final tranche of Marine Conservation Zones will be consulted on in the first half of 2018 with designations to be completed within 12 months of consultation. We are aiming for the third tranche to complete our contribution to the international ecologically coherent network in the north east Atlantic and also our domestic obligation to form a network of sites which protect the range of features in the UK marine area.

Hunting

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of trail hunting on (a) natural habitats, (b) historical sites, (c) protected and endangered species and (d) the spread of disease.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department holds any information on trail hunting being used as a cover for illegal hunting.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Government does not hold any information on, nor has made any assessment of, the effect of trail hunting.

Air Pollution: Greater London

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessments (a) his Department and (b) Public Health England have made of air quality in the area of the Lancaster Estate, North Kensington, London, since the fire at Grenfell Tower; and in what ways the results of those assessments have been communicated to local residents.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Public Health England (PHE) has been assessing and monitoring air quality in the area surrounding Grenfell Tower (Lancaster West Estate) since the start of the fire on 14 June. Results to date have not detected elevated levels of pollutants of concern, therefore, current evidence suggests the risk to public health from air pollution remains low. The results of the monitoring are published weekly on the PHE website (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-monitoring-following-the-grenfell-tower-fire) and publication is announced on Twitter when the latest report goes live. Details of these reports are included on a regular basis in the residents’ newsletter which is published by the Grenfell Response Team. Representatives from PHE have also attended a number of community meetings to explain the air quality monitoring and answer any queries from local people.

Marine Environment

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if it remains the Government's policy to meet the UK High Level Marine Objectives.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Government remains committed to the UK High Level Marine Objectives as set out in the UK Marine Policy Statement and to being the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it. We will deliver this vision through an ambitious 25 Year Environment Plan.

Animals: Exports

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to review the laws governing the export of live animals for slaughter or fattening.

George Eustice: The Government is committed to improving the welfare of all animals. The Government has always been clear that it would prefer animals to be slaughtered close to the point of production. Leaving the EU gives us an opportunity to examine rules around animal transportation, including live exports, which are currently set by the EU. Our manifesto made it clear that we would take early steps to control the export of live farm animals for slaughter, once we leave the European Union. We are currently considering options.

Animal Welfare

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he plans to update the statutory codes of recommendation on the welfare of (a) dairy cows (b) ducks (c) turkeys (d) farmed fish (e) beef cattle and (f) sheep.

George Eustice: We are prioritising updates of the statutory welfare codes for meat chickens, pigs, laying hens, cats, dogs and horses. Updating other codes may be considered in due course.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to expedite the validation procedures for the examination of data relating to the introduction of Actiphage novel technology to provide a new test for bovine TB among cattle.

George Eustice: Defra has explained the steps in the validation process and offered assistance with sample collection and scientific advice to all manufacturers of potential tests for TB in cattle and other species of interest. To date, the makers of the Actiphage test have not put forward a proposal to validate their test to the standards required by the OIE, the international organisation for animal health.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Local Government: Property

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the number of English councils purchasing properties through (a) off-shore financial arrangements or (b) low tax regimes.

Mr Marcus Jones: My Department does not collect this information. Local authorities are independent of central government and are responsible for managing their finances in line with the statutory framework. This includes appointing a properly qualified monitoring officer who is accountable for ensuring the council complies with applicable laws and regulations.

Department for Communities and Local Government: Festivals and Special Occasions

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether his Department (a) provides funding for (b) monitors the effectiveness of  (i) Holocaust Memorial Day, (ii) Black History Month and (ii) National Hate Crime awareness week.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Department for Communities and Local Government provided £1.15 million in 2017/18 to the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust to deliver the UK Government's annual ceremony as well as local activities across the country. We also provided £25,000 in 2017/18 to Stop Hate UK to support National Hate Crime Awareness Week in October this year. We have provided no funding to Black History Month. The Department monitors the effectiveness of all projects for which we provide funding.

5G

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, ?Media and Sport on the national roll-out of 5G networks.

Alok Sharma: My Department is in regular contact with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the deployment of digital telecommunications infrastructure to support broadband and mobile connectivity, including the rollout of 5G.

Housing: North East

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 5.1 of the Autumn Budget 2017, what the ratio is of average house price and average worker’s salary in the North East; and what the home ownership rate has been in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside and (c) the North East in each year since 2010.

Alok Sharma: The Office of National Statistics holds data on the ratio of average house prices to average worker's salaries. This can be viewed here:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/datasets/ratioofhousepricetoworkplacebasedearningslowerquartileandmedianThe home ownership rate for the North East since 2010 is shown below. Data on home ownership is not available below the regional level. 2009-102010-112011-122012-132013-142014-152015-16North East   owner occupiers as a proportion of all households63%65%60%64%63%61%61%Source: DCLG, English Housing Survey.

Solar Power: Non-domestic Rates

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment the Government has made of the effect of changes in the business rate treatment of solar power since April 2017 on the uptake of rooftop solar.

Mr Marcus Jones: Business rates are based on valuations from the Valuation Office Agency and we are not involved in their independent assessments. My Department has put in place a £3.6 billion transitional relief scheme to support ratepayers in England, including those in the solar power sector, at the 2017 revaluation. The scheme ensures that annual increases in rate bills caused by the revaluation are capped.

Local Government Finance

Heidi Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when she expects the fair funding review for local government to be finalised.

Heidi Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to implement an up-to-date needs assessment for local authority area funding in the absence of the 100 per cent business rates retention scheme.

Mr Marcus Jones: We are undertaking the Fair Funding Review to address concerns about the fairness of current funding distributions to local authorities. There have been widespread calls for a thorough, evidence-based Review, and we will deliver this.It is important to get funding distributions right and we have been working closely with the Local Government Association and representatives from across local government to seek views on our approach and the target date for implementation. We will shortly be bringing forward a technical consultation on the Review in which we intend to provide further certainty regarding the timeline for this important work.

Local Government Finance

Heidi Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to provide funding agreements for local authorities that did not sign up to the four-year funding settlement  in the belief that the 100 per cent retention scheme would be implemented.

Mr Marcus Jones: Local authorities that did not sign up to the four-year settlement deal from 2016-17 will have their allocations confirmed on an annual basis. I expect to publish the provisional settlement for 2018-19 shortly.

Grenfell Tower: Fires

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has provided financial or material assistance to the Kids on the Green community group for the children affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.

Alok Sharma: My Department provided £1.1 million to the Community Core Costs Fund. This was set up to fund organisations providing immediate community support following the Grenfell Tower fire and was managed by London Funders. Kids on the Green were successful in their application. They received £10,000 to go towards the running costs for a play-based group operating from a local green space and the provision of targeted therapist support.

EU Grants and Loans

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether the Government plans to undertake a public consultation before the launch of the Shared Prosperity Fund.

Jake Berry: My Department is planning to undertake a public consultation before the launch of the Shared Prosperity Fund.

Social Rented Housing: Finance

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to Autumn Budget 2017, how much funding has been allocated for the provision of new social housing.

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Autumn Budget 2017, how many more social housing units will be built in each of the next three years.

Alok Sharma: The Prime Minister recently announced an additional £2 billion funding for affordable housing, including for social rent homes in areas of high affordability pressure. This has increased the Government’s Affordable Housing Programme 2016-21 budget to more than £9 billion and will deliver tens of thousands of new homes.As the funding for social rent will be focused on areas with acute affordability challenges, the amount of funding given out will be dependent on the bids received.My Department is also working on a social housing green paper that will consider the wider issues facing the sector.

Solar Power: Non-domestic Rates

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the difference in business rate liabilities is for rooftop solar power where the majority of the power produced is (a) exported to a third party and (b) consumed onsite.

Mr Marcus Jones: My Department does not hold information on business rates liabilities. Business rates are based on valuations from the Valuation Office Agency and we are not involved in their independent assessments.

HM Treasury

First-time Buyers: Stamp Duty Land Tax

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 5.5 of the Autumn Budget 2017, if his Department will make an estimate of how many first-time buyers will benefit from the proposed relief to Stamp Duty Land Tax to help young people buy their first home in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) England.

Mel Stride: The number of purchases benefitting from the Stamp Duty Land Tax relief for first-time buyers in the North East is estimated to be 7,000 in 2018-19. The number of purchases benefitting in England is estimated to be 205,000 in 2018-19. HMRC is unable to provide estimates for first time buyers at a constituency or local authority level.

Public Sector: Pay

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 6.8 of the Autumn Budget 2017, whether the Government plans to commit to funding pay awards for public sector workers other than NHS staff.

Elizabeth Truss: The Government funds pay awards for all public sector workers. In September it was announced Prison Officers would see an above 1% rise for 2017/18, funded from the Ministry of Justice budget. In the NHS specifically, there are unique pressures this year: there are more operations than ever and more people going to A&E than ever. That’s why we’re giving the NHS as a whole additional funding, with the potential for extra funding for pay. For all workforces in 2018/19, PRBs will look at the evidence and make recommendations in the Spring/Summer.

Energy: Capital Allowances

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the capital allowance treatment is of (a) solar power, (b) Good Quality gas CHP, (c) solar thermal, (d) battery storage technologies, (e) biomass boilers and (f) heat pumps.

Andrew Jones: Capital Allowances are tax reliefs available for qualifying expenditure by businesses which comply with the conditions of the schemes. The rate of Capital Allowances available for:(a) Solar power is 8%(b) Gas CHP is 100%(c) Solar thermal is 100%(d) Battery storage technologies is 18%(e) Biomass boilers is either 100% or 18%(f) Heat pumps is 100%

Civil Servants: Pay

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what proportion of Government employees are paid through trusts rather than through PAYE.

Mel Stride: The information requested is not held centrally.

Solar Power: Non-domestic Rates

Justin Madders: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent meetings his Department has had with representatives of the solar industry on business rates for rooftop solar power.

Andrew Jones: The Chancellor, other Treasury Ministers and officials regularly meet a range of stakeholders. The details of ministerial meetings can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel#history

Children: Day Care

Tracy Brabin: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2017 to Question 115078, what estimate he has made of the number of disabled children eligible for a tax-free childcare account.

Tracy Brabin: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2017 to Question 106926, on tax-free childcare, for what reasons the figures provided in that Answer differ with those on page 240 of the Office for Budget Responsibility's Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2017.

Elizabeth Truss: Information on the number of disabled children eligible for Tax-Free Childcare is not available. The response to PQ 106926 provided the number of children for whom there was a live Tax-Free Childcare account. The Office for Budget Responsibility’s Fiscal Outlook 2017 provided details of the number of parents who had made a payment from their Tax-Free Childcare account.

Soft Drinks: Taxation

Angela Rayner: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much of the revenue raised from the soft drinks industry levy will go to (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, and (c) Northern Ireland as a consequence of the Barnett Formula in the next financial year.

Elizabeth Truss: The Soft Drinks Industry Levy applies across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In England, the new levy revenue will be invested in giving school-aged children a brighter and healthier future. The Barnett formula will apply to this spending in the normal way, and it will be for the Devolved Administrations to choose how they allocate this funding. As a result of funding allocated for these purposes to the Department for Education at Budget 2016, the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and a Northern Ireland Executive will receive £36.7m, £21.2m and £12.3m respectively in 2018/19. Subsequent changes to the levy-funded spending package in England have had no impact on these allocations.

EU Grants and Loans: Wales

Jo Stevens: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of underwriting EU projects in Wales that extend beyond the UK's period of membership of the EU.

Elizabeth Truss: The potential cost of the Government’s guarantee of EU projects in Wales will be subject to a number of factors. These include the outcome of the negotiations and the outcome of bids made directly to the Commission. Departments and devolved administrations are focusing on ensuring the guarantee will be administered if necessary.

Solar Power: Non-domestic Rates

Zac Goldsmith: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent representations he has received from the solar power industry on how rooftop solar power is treated in business rates.

Mel Stride: The Treasury receives a range of representations on various issues including business rates as part of the policy making process. Business rates are based on valuations from the Valuation Office Agency and the Government does not intervene in their independent assessments. The Valuation for Rating (Plant and Machinery) (England) Regulations 2000 set out when plant and machinery, including solar panels, are rateable.

Renewable Energy: Non-domestic Rates

Zac Goldsmith: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what methodology is used to calculate the business rate liabilities of (a) solar power and (b) Good Quality gas CHP; and what the rationale is for that methodology.

Zac Goldsmith: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how battery storage technologies installed in commercial premises are assessed for business rates.

Mel Stride: Business rates liabilities are based on the rateable value and the non-domestic rating multiplier set by the Government. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) determines the rateable value of the property using three broad methods: a rentals basis; receipts and expenditure (R&E); and a contractor’s basis, that is to say, a building's replacement costs. Rating case law requires that a hierarchy of use is adopted, in the order shown above; i.e. only when a rentals basis is not possible should the valuer adopt R&E, with the contractor’s basis being the method of last resort. Solar panels are valued using either the R&E method or the contractor’s basis, depending on the circumstances. Good quality CHP is partially-exempt from rating. The rateable parts are valued using either the R&E method or the contractor’s basis, depending on the circumstances. In addition, if the solar panels or good quality CHP is a qualifying microgeneration (below 50kW) installation there is a temporary exemption from rating which means new schemes aren't assessed until the next revaluation takes place.‎ Battery storage technologies are valued using the contractor's basis.

Railways: Concessions

Alan Brown: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 4.46, page 52 of the Autumn Budget 2017, whether his Department will fund discounted rail travel for people aged between 26 and 30.

Elizabeth Truss: As announced at Budget, the government will work with industry to extend the benefits of discounted rail travel through the introduction of a new railcard for ages 26-30. Further details will be announced in agreement with the industry and will be implemented from Spring 2018.

Students: Fees and Charges

Gordon Marsden: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to lines 63 and 64 of Table 2.1 of Autumn Budget 2017, what target he has set for the Resource and Accounting Budgetary charge.

Elizabeth Truss: HM Treasury sets a target Resource and Accounting Budgetary (RAB) Charge to the Department for Education as budgetary measure to help manage the costs of student loan book. The current target RAB charge is 36%.

Brexit

Mr Chris Leslie: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to set before Parliament the itemised liabilities due for payment by the Government to the EU in respect of the forthcoming withdrawal agreement; and if he will make a statement.

Elizabeth Truss: The arrangements for exiting the European Union, including any financial settlement, are currently under negotiation. The Government’s broad position was set out by the Prime Minister in her speech in Florence: we do not want our European Partners to fear they will need to pay more or receive less over the remainder of the current budget plan as a result of our decision to leave, and the UK will honour commitments we have made during the period of our membership. Ongoing discussions with the European Commission are focused on building a common technical understanding on every item in the financial settlement and we are making clear progress in this area. I would direct The Honourable Gentlemen to the Treasury’s answer to his urgent Parliamentary Question on 29th November, where I confirmed the Government will update the house when there is more detail to give.

Soft Drinks: Taxation

Paula Sherriff: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the revenue projections for the soft drinks industry levy in the Autumn Budget 2017, Table C.5, what assessment he has made of the potential effect the fall in projected revenue will have on the total revenue funding allocated to the Department for Education in each year of the forecast period.

Elizabeth Truss: No changes have been made to the funding allocated to the Department for Education as a result of the changes to the revenue projections for the soft drinks industry levy.

Cabinet Office

Surrogate Motherhood

Andrew Percy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the Government's policy is on the reform of surrogacy law being undertaken by the Law Commission in its 13th Programme of Law Reform.

Caroline Nokes: The Government recognises the value of surrogacy as one of a number of options in helping people who can’t have children create a family. Drafting work on the remedial order is ongoing. We currently estimate it will be laid in the autumn session of Parliament. The Department of Health supports the proposal by the Law Commission of England and Wales to include a project about surrogacy in its work programme for 2017-20

Cabinet Office: Staff

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff in his Department employed after 24 June 2016 hold a post that includes work on the UK leaving the EU.

Caroline Nokes: EU Exit is an all-of-government operation. The Department for Exiting the European Union is doing detailed work with departments to prepare for the upcoming negotiations by understanding the risks and opportunities of leaving the EU and coordinating planning. Members of staff across the Department may at times be required to provide advice and analysis on EU Exit issues as required. Since there is extensive crossover between EU exit work and the Department’s other priorities, it would not be possible to give an accurate figure.

Government Contracts

Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that 33 per cent of government contracts are given to small and medium-sized businesses by the end of the 2017 Parliament.

Caroline Nokes: Holding answer received on 13 November 2017



The Government has already made a number of changes to its procurement processes to help SMEs, which includes banning the use of prequalification questionnaires for low value contracts; ensuring opportunities are advertised on Contracts Finder; and requiring the payment of all undisputed invoices in no more than 30 days. All of the government’s strategic suppliers have now signed up to the Prompt Payment Code, boosting cash flow for SMEs and allowing them to invest in growth. We have a national Small Business Panel made up of 24 experts who advise government on the barriers which businesses face when trying to supply goods and services to central government. The panel is working on a number of key issues which will contribute to the 33% target by increasing the number of small businesses contracting with government departments. We will shortly be consulting on new measures to further break down barriers to entry for SMEs. Finally, SMEs can use the excellent Mystery Shopper service - recently praised to me by the Federation of Small Businesses as 'stonkingly good' - to tell us about the problems and concerns they have in doing business with the whole public sector.

Electoral Register

Cat Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people registered to vote anonymously in the last general election.

Chris Skidmore: Based on data provided by Electoral Registration Officers, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) published figures in 2017 on the number of electors anonymously registered in England and Wales. In 2016, the number of electors registered anonymously in England and Wales was 2268. Further details are available in the report 'Number of electors registered anonymously by constituent country of England and Wales and regions of England, 2008 to 2016' published on the ONSwebsite.

Brain: Tumours

Royston Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the survival rate is for people with brain tumours; and what the comparative rate is for people with all forms of cancer.

Chris Skidmore: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA response
(PDF Document, 76.18 KB)

Government Departments: Telephone Services

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the cost of the helpline that incurs the greatest cost to members of the public at the point of call, for each Government department.

Caroline Nokes: Information regarding the cost of Departments’ helplines is not held centrally. Departments should be contacted directly regarding this. In October 2015, the Cabinet Office published guidance on departments’ use of telephone prefixes that can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/470411/20151006_Customer_phone_lines_draft_guidance_October_2015.pdf

Pay: North East

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside and (c) the North East earn below the UK average weekly earnings for full-time employees.

Chris Skidmore: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA response
(PDF Document, 66.52 KB)

Behavioural Insights Team

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what data the Behavioural Insights Team holds on those people it can reach with its Predicitiv product; how many such people there; and what the origin of that data is.

Caroline Nokes: The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) was spun out of government in 2014 and set up as a social purpose company. We are not in a position to provide information about the proprietary assets of Behavioural Insights Team Limited, due to commercial confidentiality.

Grenfell Tower Inquiry

Richard Burgon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has held with the Prime Minister on the appointment of panel members to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

Caroline Nokes: I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the Prime Minister’s Written Statement of 14 September. Information about internal discussion and advice is not normally disclosed.

Public Expenditure

Martyn Day: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when each Department will publish its single departmental plan; whether those plans will set out the Government’s response to the Sustainable Development Goals; and whether information on the response to the Sustainable Development Goals in the plans will be publicly available.

Caroline Nokes: Following the election, Cabinet Office asked departments to update their Single Departmental Plans. The Government intends to reflect updated SDPs on GOV.UK later this year. In updated plans, departments have been asked to outline how planned activity will support the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Government Departments: Telephone Services

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2017 to Question 111594, on Government Departments: Telephone Services, when he plans to provide a substantive Answer.

Caroline Nokes: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question111594 on 28 November 2017.

Public Bodies

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will set out the new public bodies that will need to be established in the event that the UK leaves the EU.

Chris Skidmore: The UK’s relationship with the EU's agencies upon exit will be evaluated in light of delivering the twelve objectives outlined by the Prime Minister to achieve a deep and special partnership between the UK and the EU. The UK’s future relationship with the EU's decentralised bodies after leaving the EU is a matter for the negotiations.

Constituencies

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse has been of the current boundary review (a) up to the date of opening of the third consultation and (b) on the most recent date for which figures are available.

Chris Skidmore: As at the end of October 2017, the cost to the public purse of the current boundary review has been approximately £5 million.

Electoral Register: Warrington North

Helen Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of people in Warrington North constituency who are eligible for inclusion on the electoral register but are not registered.

Chris Skidmore: Registration levels have increased at every General Election since 2005. The register used for the 2017 General Election was the largest in our history, standing at 46.9 million entries. Detailed information regarding the total number of unregistered people of voting age is not held by the Government. Only totals for the number of registered electors are held. These can be accessed through the Office for National Statistics website, including at local level.

Electoral Register

Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what  the proportionate change has been in the level of voter registration over the most recent year for which data are available in (a) England, (b) Greater London and (c) London Borough of Newham.

Chris Skidmore: The electoral register has been steadily increasing since the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration in 2014, and the register used for the 2017 General Election was the highest in our history, standing at 46.9 million entries. Specific data, including data for regional and local levels of registration, are reported annually by the Office of National Statistics on its website.

Department for International Trade

Department for International Trade: Public Expenditure

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to his oral Answer on 23 November, what discussion he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the additional funding for his Department following the Autumn Budget 2017 and how many additional staff he plans to recruit as a result of that additional funding.

Mark Garnier: As the Chancellor announced in Budget, a further £3 billion has been set aside for Brexit preparations over the next two years, and the Department will work with HM Treasury, to ensure it receives the additional funding it needs in 2018-19. The number of additional staff recruited will be agreed as part of this process.

Trade Agreements: Arbitration

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 22 November 2017 to Question 113324, how many departmental staff are involved in the process of establishing a trade remedies framework.

Mark Garnier: The Department for International Trade has 21 departmental staff who work primarily on the process of establishing a trade remedies framework.

Trade Agreements: Arbitration

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 22 November 2017 to Question 113324, how many (a) seconded and (b) newly-hired staff were offered employment in his Department to assist in establishing a trade remedies framework during the last twelve months.

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2017 to Question 111497, how many (a) seconded and (b) external staff have been hired by his Department to work as part of the trade remedies investigating authority in the last twelve months.

Mark Garnier: During the last twelve months, the Department for International Trade has hired 19 new staff and seconded one member of staff on loan from another Government department, to work on establishing a trade remedies framework which includes the Trade Remedies Authority. Seven of those were hired from outside the Civil Service. None have been seconded from outside the Civil Service.

World Trade Organisation

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2017 to Question 113264, if will he establish a contingency plan for the eventuality that the WTO will not allow the UK an Annex on Article II (Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment) for exemptions under GATS.

Mark Garnier: The UK has been a Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) since its founding in 1995. Thereby, the UK already has established exemptions to the Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment obligation under the terms of the GATS Annex on Article II Exemptions. As the UK leaves the EU, we intend to set out in a separate list the exemptions that already apply to the UK, under the terms of the Annex on Article II Exemptions.

Trade Agreements

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2017 to Question 113267, if his Department will include Commonwealth representation at such Trade and Investment Working Groups in future.

Mark Garnier: I refer the Hon Member for Denton and Reddish to the answer given to him by my Rt Hon Friend the Minister of State for Trade Policy on 21 November, UIN: 113267. This is a bilateral working group and as such involves only the US and the UK.

Trade Agreements: Arbitration

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer 21 November 2017 to Question 110584, on trade agreements: arbitration, what his Department's definition is of invested resources.

Mark Garnier: The Department for International Trade has dedicated the required number of staff, and the budget, to ensure the legislation, policy and operational plans for the new trade remedies framework are designed and implemented effectively.

Trade Remedies Authority

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what representations he has received on the inclusion of social and environmental criteria in the remit of the Trade Remedies Authority.

Mark Garnier: The UK plays an active role in upholding labour and environmental standards across the world, both through our role as a member of the International Labour Organisation and by actively promoting human rights and the UK wants to ensure economic growth, development and environmental protection go hand in hand.The Department for International Trade has received representations from five organisations on the inclusion of social and environmental criteria, in the remit of the Trade Remedies Authority. This was in response to the White Paper “Preparing for a future UK trade policy” as well as part of the Department’s ongoing stakeholder engagement, on a future UK trade remedies regime.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Olympic Games 2012

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how much Olympic legacy funding has been disbursed in respect of the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell; and if she will make a statement.

Tracey Crouch: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 28 November 2017.The correct answer should have been:

Government’s strategy ‘Sporting Future: A New Strategy for An Active Nation’ and Sport England’s strategy ‘Towards an Active Nation’ highlight the importance of focusing on groups that are particularly unlikely to take part in sport and physical activity, such as women and girls and some Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups. It places a clear emphasis on putting the customer first and there are some innovative programmes to encourage female and BAME participation in sport, such as the This Girl Can Swim campaign. But as the Government’s sport strategy makes clear, participation is not just about playing sport, and the "Sports Governance Code", launched in October 2016, seeks to ensure the very highest standards of governance across all sport bodies that receive public money, including in terms of diversity, and aims to help the sport sector to be more inclusive and welcoming to all. If sports bodies do not adhere to the code and cannot demonstrate full commitment to becoming compliant with its requirements they will not be eligible to receive public funding. Through its London 2012 legacy programme, Places People Play, Sport England invested a total of £2,225,541 in 13 grassroots sports projects in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell. This included an investment of £1.5m of National Lottery money in the Portway Lifestyle Centre in Sandwell which opened in 2013. Portway Lifestyle Centre is an excellent example of a community wellness hub, and one of the first in the UK to bring social care, health and leisure services together under one roof, combining an NHS family practice with a range of health, social care and sports facilities. Birmingham has bid for the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and, should the bid be successful, the Sandwell Aquatics Centre would be upgraded to include an iconic diving venue and community facility. This would provide a legacy for the local community, catering for everyone from beginner swimmers through to elite divers, with the provision of much needed facilities within the Black Country and West Midlands.

Tracey Crouch: Government’s strategy ‘Sporting Future: A New Strategy for An Active Nation’ and Sport England’s strategy ‘Towards an Active Nation’ highlight the importance of focusing on groups that are particularly unlikely to take part in sport and physical activity, such as women and girls and some Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups. It places a clear emphasis on putting the customer first and there are some innovative programmes to encourage female and BAME participation in sport, such as the This Girl Can Swim campaign. But as the Government’s sport strategy makes clear, participation is not just about playing sport, and the "Sports Governance Code", launched in October 2016, seeks to ensure the very highest standards of governance across all sport bodies that receive public money, including in terms of diversity, and aims to help the sport sector to be more inclusive and welcoming to all. If sports bodies do not adhere to the code and cannot demonstrate full commitment to becoming compliant with its requirements they will not be eligible to receive public funding. Through its London 2012 legacy programme, Places People Play, Sport England invested a total of £2,225,541 in 13 grassroots sports projects in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell. This included an investment of £1.5m of National Lottery money in the Portway Lifestyle Centre in Sandwell which opened in 2013. Portway Lifestyle Centre is an excellent example of a community wellness hub, and one of the first in the UK to bring social care, health and leisure services together under one roof, combining an NHS family practice with a range of health, social care and sports facilities. Birmingham has bid for the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and, should the bid be successful, the Sandwell Aquatics Centre would be upgraded to include an iconic diving venue and community facility. This would provide a legacy for the local community, catering for everyone from beginner swimmers through to elite divers, with the provision of much needed facilities within the Black Country and West Midlands.

Mobile Broadband

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department plans to take to publicise whether mobile providers meet the target for broadband coverage of 90 per cent of UK land mass by the end of 2017.

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of whether mobile providers will reach the target of providing voice and text services to more than 90 per cent of the UK landmass by the end of 2017.

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what penalties will be enacted if mobile providers do not achieve coverage of 90 per cent of UK landmass coverage by the end of 2017.

Matt Hancock: The regulator Ofcom is responsible for assessing and enforcing the compliance of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) with their licence obligations to provide voice and text coverage to at least 90% of the UK landmass, alongside Telefonica's (O2's) licence obligation to provide 4G coverage to 98% of the UK population by the end of 2017. Ofcom will assess on the MNOs' compliance in early 2018. It is also a matter for Ofcom to report whether the MNOs met these obligations and it can issue fines to MNOs that fail to meet their licence obligations.

Broadband

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what her most recent estimate is of the average (a) advertised speed for broadband services, (b) speed received by consumers for broadband services; and if she will make a statement

Matt Hancock: Details of broadband speeds are published by Ofcom and available here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/100761/UK-home-broadband-performance,-November-2016-Technical-report.pdf

Youth Development Fund

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of Youth Development Fund grants; and if she will make a statement.

Tracey Crouch: The Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport is investing £40 million through the Youth Investment Fund and #iwill Funds to increase opportunities for young people to develop skills and undertake social action. This money is being matched by the Big Lottery Fund to create an £80million investment in young people. The Youth Investment Fund was first delivered last year, and is therefore too early to assess the effectiveness; however, an evaluation process is in place.

Department of Health

Mental Health Services: Staff

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the increase is in the (a) size of the mental health staff workforce and (b) number of professionally qualified clinical mental health staff employed since 2010.

Jackie Doyle-Price: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 26 October 2017.The correct answer should have been:

NHS Digital data shows that the number of National Health Service staff (full-time equivalent) working in Mental Health and Learning Disability trusts increased by 4,295 from July 2013 to July 2017, of these 2,156 are professionally qualified clinical mental health staff. The number of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) staff (headcount) increased by 2,278 2,728 between 2012 and 2015. Figures begin in 2012/13 due to the changes in services resulting from the dissolution of primary care trusts in 2012/13.Source:1. Health Education England (July 2017). Stepping forward to 2020/21: The mental health workforce plan for England.https://www.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/CCS0717505185-1_FYFV%20Mental%20health%20workforce%20plan%20for%20England_v5%283%29.pdf2. NHS Digital, Monthly workforce statistics as at July.https://digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB301003. 2012 IAPT Workforce Census paragraph 5.1.https://www.uea.ac.uk/documents/246046/11919343/iapt-workforce-education-and-training-2012-census-report.pdf/907e15d0-b36a-432c-8058-b2452d3628de4. The overall IAPT workforce number from the 2015 census was calculated as follows: sum of Low Intensity Therapy: Total Number of individuals (Staff in Post) on page 17 and High Intensity Therapy (HIT): Total Number of individuals (Staff in Post) on page 21. The 2015 IAPT workforce census is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/mentalhealth/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/09/adult-iapt-workforce-census-report-15.pdf5. The overall IAPT workforce number from the 2014 census was calculated by adding total headcount for Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), non CBT HIT modalities and non-qualified counsellors and therapist, Table 4, page.11. The total funded establishment for whole-time equivalent psychological wellbeing practitioners was obtained from table 2, p. 9. The 2014 IAPT workforce census is available at the following link:http://www.ewin.nhs.uk/tools_and_resources/2014-adult-iapt-workforce-census-report.

Jackie Doyle-Price: NHS Digital data shows that the number of National Health Service staff (full-time equivalent) working in Mental Health and Learning Disability trusts increased by 4,295 from July 2013 to July 2017, of these 2,156 are professionally qualified clinical mental health staff. The number of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) staff (headcount) increased by 2,278 2,728 between 2012 and 2015. Figures begin in 2012/13 due to the changes in services resulting from the dissolution of primary care trusts in 2012/13.Source:1. Health Education England (July 2017). Stepping forward to 2020/21: The mental health workforce plan for England.https://www.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/CCS0717505185-1_FYFV%20Mental%20health%20workforce%20plan%20for%20England_v5%283%29.pdf2. NHS Digital, Monthly workforce statistics as at July.https://digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB301003. 2012 IAPT Workforce Census paragraph 5.1.https://www.uea.ac.uk/documents/246046/11919343/iapt-workforce-education-and-training-2012-census-report.pdf/907e15d0-b36a-432c-8058-b2452d3628de4. The overall IAPT workforce number from the 2015 census was calculated as follows: sum of Low Intensity Therapy: Total Number of individuals (Staff in Post) on page 17 and High Intensity Therapy (HIT): Total Number of individuals (Staff in Post) on page 21. The 2015 IAPT workforce census is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/mentalhealth/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/09/adult-iapt-workforce-census-report-15.pdf5. The overall IAPT workforce number from the 2014 census was calculated by adding total headcount for Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), non CBT HIT modalities and non-qualified counsellors and therapist, Table 4, page.11. The total funded establishment for whole-time equivalent psychological wellbeing practitioners was obtained from table 2, p. 9. The 2014 IAPT workforce census is available at the following link:http://www.ewin.nhs.uk/tools_and_resources/2014-adult-iapt-workforce-census-report.

Health Services: Prisons

Dr Paul Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will publish the name of the commissioned provider for health services in each prison in England and Wales.

Jackie Doyle-Price: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 20 November 2017.The correct answer should have been:

Since 2013, NHS England has been responsible for commissioning healthcare in all prisons in England. However, there are five prisons where primary healthcare services are commissioned by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). In these five prisons some secondary healthcare services, including substance misuse and mental health, are commissioned by NHS England. Local Health Boards are responsible for commissioning healthcare services in public sector prisons in Wales. NHS England and the MOJ have provided the information in the attached table, which lists the healthcare provider for each prison in England and Wales.


PQ113023 attached table
(Word Document, 23.23 KB)




Commissioned Health providers for prisons
(Word Document, 20.2 KB)

Jackie Doyle-Price: Since 2013, NHS England has been responsible for commissioning healthcare in all prisons in England. However, there are five prisons where primary healthcare services are commissioned by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). In these five prisons some secondary healthcare services, including substance misuse and mental health, are commissioned by NHS England. Local Health Boards are responsible for commissioning healthcare services in public sector prisons in Wales. NHS England and the MOJ have provided the information in the attached table, which lists the healthcare provider for each prison in England and Wales.


PQ113023 attached table
(Word Document, 23.23 KB)




Commissioned Health providers for prisons
(Word Document, 20.2 KB)

NHS: Digital Technology

Scott Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made on the digital transformation of the NHS.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Good progress is being made towards a more digitised National Health Service. The Government is investing £4.2 billion to support wider adoption of digital technology over the five years up to 2020. 95% of general medical practices are able to offer patient online services, so patients can make GP appointments and order repeat prescriptions, increasing choice and convenience for patients. A new ‘Apps Library’ launched in April this year for the NHS includes 43 apps which can be used by patients to support management of their health and wellbeing. Some apps are labelled, "NHS Approved" meaning there is clinical evidence that they support clinical outcomes, or "Being Tested in the NHS", which means they are part of an NHS programme that is monitoring and gathering evidence of its effectiveness. Free Wi-Fi services have been rolled out to 1,200 general practices, enabling up to 8 million patients to get online and plans are in place to roll this out to the rest of the country. 98% of the population in England have a summary care record (SCR). SCRs are helping to deliver better, safer care for patients when seen by healthcare professionals in unplanned settings e.g. out of hours, or by ambulance and accident and emergency services, providing healthcare staff with essential information about an individual’s allergies, medications and any adverse reactions to medicines. SCRs were used over 4 million times during 2016, and for 2017 the expected figure is 6.5 million. The global digital exemplar (GDE) programme is investing in acute and mental health trusts to develop world class digitally enabled services and to share and spread their experience to other NHS trusts so they can digitise more quickly and effectively. There are currently 16 acute global digital exemplar trusts and seven mental health global digital exemplars receiving up to £10 million and £5 million respectively matched by investment by the trust. All GDEs are now partnered with fast followers – so GDEs can share their experience of implementation and fast followers can learn from this and support the spread of best practice and innovation. Mental health GDEs will also partner with fast followers over the next year.

Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the timetable is for negotiation of the next pharmaceutical price regulation scheme.

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans his Department has to engage with patient groups regarding the next Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme.

Steve Brine: No decision has been made about the timing of negotiations with industry on medicines pricing arrangements for 2019 onwards. The Department has regular and ongoing dialogue with patient representative groups about medicines pricing and access issues, and all those views will help to inform discussions between the industry and the Department on the new arrangements.

Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme providing effective and innovative medicines for patients.

Steve Brine: At the start of the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS), a forecast of National Health Service spend on new medicines (those launched after 31 December 2013) as a percentage of PPRS spend was agreed with industry for the subsequent years of the scheme. The latest estimate of new medicines as a percentage of measured PPRS spend for 2017 is 9%, which is greater than the agreed forecast for 2017 of just over 5%, suggesting that new medicines make up notably more of PPRS spend than was forecast. This estimate excludes new medicines supplied by members of the statutory branded medicines price regulation scheme. Use of innovative medicines in England is reported through the innovation scorecard. The most recent publication was in October 2017 and is available at:https://digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB30106Since 2014, the medicines in the scorecard have changed as new medicines have become available. The scorecard shows that for the 12 months from April 2016 to March 2017, compared to the previous 12 months where comparable data is available, 73% of innovative medicines covered by the scorecard were prescribed more.

Medical Records

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, will the Secretary whether he plans to increase patient access to their medical records.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Over 90% of general practitioner (GP) practices are able to offer patients access to their records online. Currently over 580,000 patients are registered for access to their medical records. In July 2017, records were accessed online 1.2 million times. At the NHS Innovation Expo in September 2017, my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health set the National Health Service a challenge to increase the number of patients registered for access to GP records fivefold by March 2019. NHS England is working with the Royal College of General Practitioners and patient groups to develop support for GP practices to actively offer and promote this service to patients living with long term conditions such as diabetes or asthma, as these groups would benefit the most from regularly accessing and reviewing information held in their records.

Surgery: Health Services

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability comprehensive perioperative care pathways for NHS patients.

Mr Philip Dunne: Well-organised peri-operative care pathways improve patient outcomes and increase the efficiency of NHS services. All trusts that provide surgical care automatically provide a peri-operative care pathway. The Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Royal College of Surgeons have supported the introduction of Enhanced Recovery to improve peri-operative care and this is being actively promoted through RightCare guidance to commissioners and through the Getting It Right First Time Programme for hospitals. This applies to all trusts in England who provide peri-operative care.

Health Services: Reciprocal Arrangements

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2017 to  Question 7355, what discussions have taken place between the UK and the EU on the continuation of the EHIC system or its replacement with an equivalent system.

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to Answer of 8 September to Question 7355, on healthcare: reciprocal arrangements, if he will preserve the S1 and S2 healthcare funding routes and the system provided under the Patients’ Rights Directive for EEA member states after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Philip Dunne: The United Kingdom Government appreciates the importance of retaining existing reciprocal healthcare arrangements with the European Union. During the September round of UK-EU negotiations, the UK made clear that it wishes to continue with reciprocal healthcare with the EU after the UK’s Exit. This includes healthcare rights for pensioners, the European Health Insurance Card and planned treatment. During negotiations with the EU on the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK has therefore been seeking to protect the healthcare arrangements currently set out in EU Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009.

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Laura Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to ensure that the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring system is accessible to all diabetes patients

Steve Brine: Freestyle Libre has been approved for reimbursement on National Health Service prescription from 1 November through listing in Part IX of the Drug Tariff. The Drug Tariff is a price list that covers England and Wales, and the listing of a medical device in the Tariff should not be interpreted as a recommendation to prescribe a particular product. Patients will need to discuss the ongoing management of their condition with their healthcare professional and consider whether flash glucose monitoring is suitable for them.

South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to paragraph 6.4 of the Autumn Budget 2017, how much of that additional NHS funding in England will be allocated to South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust.

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to paragraph 6.8 of the Autumn Budget 2017, how much of the £2.6 billion funding will be allocated as part of the Sustainability and Transformation Plans to (a) South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust and (b) City Hospitals Sunderland.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Budget announcement was made on 22 November 2017 containing £3.5 billion of capital investment for buildings and facilities in the National Health Service in England by 2022-23, including £2.6 billion for locally-led Sustainability and Transformation Plans. The Government has provisionally allocated over £200 million to 12 of the highest quality schemes subject to business case approval. Neither South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust or City Hospitals Sunderland are in the 12 initial schemes, details of which can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funding-for-local-groups-of-nhs-organisations-sustainability-and-transformation-partnershipsThe Department is working with NHS England and NHS Improvement on the detail around how the further funding will be allocated to local areas.

Patients: Proof of Identity

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will publish the results of the 20 pilot studies into refusing treatment to patients who cannot produce a utility bill and a passport.

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will fully evaluate and consult on the results of the 20 pilot studies into refusing treatment to patients who cannot produce a utility bill and a passport before it proceeds with any changes to NHS charging regulations.

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost has been to the public purse of the extra staff sent to those 20 hospital trusts which are trialling the refusal of treatment to patients who cannot produce a utility bill and a passport.

Mr Philip Dunne: Between May and October 2017, 19 trusts participated in pilots to trial the effectiveness of asking for two forms of identification from patients in improving the identification of chargeable patients. No treatment was denied to patients who did not provide two forms of identification. The Department commissioned Ipsos Mori to undertake a full independent evaluation of the pilots, the results of which will be delivered to the Department shortly and published in due course. The total cost of funding allocated to trusts to support the implementation of the pilots was £412,723.

Mental Health Services: Nurses

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of the number of Nursing Associates who will be placed in specialist mental health units after their training in each of the next three years.

Mr Philip Dunne: By 2021 the National Health Service in England could have around 14,500 new Nursing Associates available for employment, across a range of health and care settings, including mental health. Responsibility for staffing levels rests with individual NHS trusts and their boards who are best placed to decide how many staff and what skill mix they need. There are currently 2,000 Nursing Associates in training within 35 Health Education England Pilots, due to complete and become qualified Nursing Associates in 2019. Test sites bring together a wide range of organisations including acute, community and mental health settings and have been designed to ensure they are representative of the different settings where Nursing Associates, once qualified will care for patients. Nursing associates are an England only role. NHS staffing in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales is a matter for each of the devolved administrations.

Autism: Diagnosis

Bambos Charalambous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information is shared between NHS trusts, clinical commissioning groups, education providers and local education authorities after a diagnosis of autism for a child of school age.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Under the Children and Families Act (2014), local partners of a local authority include clinical commissioning groups, National Health Service trusts, NHS foundation trusts and local education providers. They must co-operate with the local authority in supporting children with a special educational need, such as autism, which would include the sharing of relevant information. The specific information to be shared is for partners to agree. The statutory guidance Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years provides advice on how the partners can work together and share information in their statutory roles. Clinical commissioning groups and local authorities must make joint commissioning arrangements for the education, health and care provision reasonably required by children with special educational needs. They must agree what education, health and care provision is to be secured, and by whom, and agree details of what advice and information is to be provided about education, health and care provision.

Department of Health: Brexit

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the National Audit Office Report, Implementing the UK’s exit from the European Union, HC 593, published on 17 November 2017, if he will (a) list the 31 work streams in his Department identified by the National Audit Office in that report, (b) provide summaries of the issues covered and (c) detail the number of Officials of his Department contributing to those work streams.

Mr Philip Dunne: As indicated in the National Audit Office report, the Department for Exiting the European Union had identified 313 Exit work streams across Government departments, including 31 from this Department. The development of work streams is part of ongoing cross-Government work to develop and assess potential policy options, and to understand the implications of EU Exit. The report represents a snapshot of the number and type of work stream at the time of publication. Many of these will vary as time goes by, including the Department ones but these will be kept under regular review by all departments. We will not be listing any detail about the Department’s work streams. We can confirm that we are equipping ourselves with the right people and the right skills across government to make a success of Brexit. This Department has identified the workforce it requires for operational and policy requirements and constantly reviews its capabilities in order to deliver the Government’s commitment to leave the EU and get the very best deal for the United Kingdom.

Rare Diseases

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the UK hospitals participating in the European Reference Networks on rare diseases will continue to participate in those Networks in the event of the UK withdrawing from the EU.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Government's policy paper, Collaboration on Science and Innovation: A Future Partnership Paper, stresses the importance of continued collaboration with European partners to ensure that the United Kingdom remains one of the best places in the world for science and innovation. European Reference Networks were cited in the paper as an example of a partnership that the UK believes should continue. The diagnosis, treatment and management of rare diseases benefit from national and international collaboration because of the limited number of patients and scarcity of clinical and research expertise within a single country. The UK is recognised internationally for its expertise and excellence in the field of rare diseases.

NHS: Overtime

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the amount of unpaid overtime worked by NHS staff in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Mr Philip Dunne: This information is not collected centrally. Information on unpaid additional hours worked by National Health Service staff is available from the NHS Staff Survey. Of those staff who completed the 2016 NHS Staff Survey, 59% reported working additional unpaid hours with 45% reporting up to five unpaid hours per week, 10% reporting 6-10 hours and 4% reporting 11 or more hours. Full details of the NHS Staff Survey results for 2016 can be found at the following link:http://www.nhsstaffsurveys.com/Page/1006/Latest-Results/2016-Results/We recognise and value the considerable commitment of NHS staff in serving patients and the public.

NHS: Repairs and Maintenance

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much money is required to eliminate backlog maintenance work in the NHS in the current financial year; what amount were required during the previous three years; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for changes in those amounts.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Department collects data on backlog maintenance annually from National Health Service trusts through its Estates Returns Information Collection. The data collected has not been amended centrally and its accuracy always remains the responsibility of the contributing NHS organisations. It can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/559126/est-ret-info-col-2015-2016-Report.pdf. The cost required to eliminate backlog maintenance work in the NHS in the current financial year; and the previous three years is: Total cost to eradicate backlog £ million2013-144,041.72014-154,337.92015-164,975.02016-175,545.5Backlog maintenance amounts and risks will change over time due to a number of reasons including the prioritisation of investment to reduce it, disposal of buildings with backlog maintenance, changes to estate and clinical standards, the aging of the estate and changes in the costs of capital work. The Autumn Budget announced £3.5 billion of new additional capital investment in the NHS in England by 2022-23, including £700 million to support turnaround plans in struggling trusts and tackle critical maintenance issues.

Grenfell Tower: Fires

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the psychological effect of the Grenfell tower fire on survivors.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Mental health support for people affected by the Grenfell Tower fire has been co-ordinated by West London Clinical Commissioning Group and Central and North West London Foundation Trust with support from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. In response a proactive ‘screen and treat’ programme was established in August to support individuals in the local area potentially affected by the fire. In addition, emotional support is being provided through outreach and intervention provision in the community such as drop-in support, psychological first aid, counselling and support groups which can be accessed by anyone in the local area. The local health sector is committed to responding to the needs and wishes of the local community. It is aiming to achieve this through continued joint working with other local agencies and community groups, listening to feedback from the community and the development of an agile dynamic service model to respond quickly to changing demands of those affected.

Health Services: Foreign Nationals

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, on how many occasions  information regarding the immigration status of NHS patients has been shared with the Home Office in each year since 2010.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Department and NHS Digital do not share information regarding the immigration status of National Health Service patients with the Home Office.

Bournville Gardens Village: Domestic Visits

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what topics were discussed during the Minister of State for Health's visit to Bournville Care Village on Friday 24 November 2017; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Philip Dunne: I toured the College Green development in Bournville which, it is proposed, will be home to around 400 older people once it is complete next year. It is also intended to house a state-of-the-art health and well-being centre, which will be a base for a number of general practitioner practices and a pharmacy providing a range of health services. I also discussed the results of a study by Aston University of the impact of improved health and wellbeing of residents in care villages in Birmingham, like College Green, allowing elderly residents to enjoy independent living in a supportive environment with less need for National Health Service care.

Members: Correspondence

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State plans to respond to the letter of 31 October from the hon. Member for Birmingham Northfield on Premises Cost Directions and Bournville Gardens Health and Wellbeing Centre.

Steve Brine: A response was sent by post and email on 29 November 2017. NHS England has advised that the application to the Estates and Technology Transformation Fund is currently going through the approval processes and checks. To avoid delays, additional funding has been provided to the clinical commissioning group (CCG) for the development of its Outline Business Case. The CCG is engaging with the Bournville Village Trust to progress the business case.

Accident and Emergency Departments: Children

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many children were admitted to Accident and Emergency departments for self-harm in each NHS trust in England, in each of the last 12 months.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The information is not held in the format requested.

Accident and Emergency Departments: Training

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of management training opportunities provided to (a) junior doctors and (b) nurses for working in A&E departments.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Royal College of Emergency Medicine, working in partnership with NHS England, NHS Improvement and Health Education England, published an Emergency Medicine Workforce Plan1 on 12 October 2017. It set out that from April 2018 Health Education England and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine will launch a leadership development training programme for all emergency medicine trainees and NHS Improvement will provide funding to support poor performing trusts with the delivery of clinical education. In addition, the NHS Leadership Academy supports National Health Service leaders (including junior doctors and nurses) to develop their skills and knowledge. Note: 1https://improvement.nhs.uk/uploads/documents/Emergency_department_workforce_plan_-_111017_Final.3.pdf

NHS Trusts

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of never events in NHS trusts.

Mr Philip Dunne: My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has commissioned the Care Quality Commission to carry out a Thematic Review into Never Events and this work will be supported by NHS Improvement. The thematic review will examine what can be done to reduce Never Events, and explore what further support and guidance the National Health Service needs to overcome the barriers that prevent the correct implementation of existing guidance. The review will also identify good practice happening throughout the NHS around Never Events and look to embed this throughout the NHS.

Pregnancy: Mental Health Services

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the net change has been in the number of in-patient perinatal mental health beds since 2010.

Jackie Doyle-Price: There has been a net increase of 10 beds in mother and baby commissioned beds between 2013/14 and 2017/18. Mother and baby beds are commissioned by NHS England (Specialised Services) which came into existence in April 2013. As such, robust data is only available from 2013/14. NHS England is expanding the capacity of inpatient Mother and Baby units (MBUs). Four new, eight bed MBUs have been commissioned to provide specialist care and support to mothers who experience severe mental ill health during and after pregnancy in areas of the country with particular access issues. Implementation of plans for new units is underway, with the first units expecting to be in use from July 2018. At the same time, the number of beds is increasing in existing units with NHS England expanding the current capacity by 49% by the end of 2018/19.